New York To Suspend Registrations Of Chronic Toll Evaders
Updated Wednesday, Nov. 18 9:41 a.m.
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York is cracking down on chronic toll evaders with a plan to yank their vehicle registrations.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that soon after the start of the new year, the state's Department of Motor Vehicles plans to suspend the registration of any motorist who fails to pay five tolls within a period of 18 months.
"Toll evaders unfairly burden hard-working New Yorkers who play by the rules and put additional stress on this state's transportation network," Cuomo said in a statement. "This new action cracks down on this unacceptable behavior and will keep these scofflaws off the very roads they fail to pay their fair share to maintain."
The state said it found nearly 35,000 cases of toll evaders racking up five or more unpaid toll violations within 18 months, depriving the state of more than $16 million a year.
The new rule is expected to take effect early next year after it is published in the state register.
Rockland state Sen. David Carlucci said it will help crack down on drivers who ignore the bills in the mail when the Tappan Zee Bridge goes to a cashless system next year.
"The Henry Hudson Bridge, which is operated by the MTA, has a seen a dramatic increase in the amount of toll evasion when they've gone to cashless tolls," Carlucci told WCBS 880's Sean Adams. "Now, we want to take make it simple and easy for people to pay that don't have E-ZPass."
New York's tolling authorities include the New York State Thruway Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the New York State Bridge Authority and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority
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