Senate Passes Bill to Crack Down on Toll Evaders

Albany, NY – Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) announced that the Senate passed his bill to crack down on chronic toll evaders throughout New York State.  

The bill, S.2704, empowers the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend or deny the vehicle registration of motorists who persistently evade tolls on any of New York’s bridges. The bill also will enable the Commissioner of the DMV to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to suspend or deny the vehicle registration of persistent toll evaders that travel on New York’s roads.

The New York Department of Transportation has estimated that over the last five years chronic toll evaders have cost taxpayers over $150 million in unpaid tolls. Figures provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority show that 1 out of every 3 motorists who used the Henry Hudson Bridge and received a bill in the mail failed to pay — a system that, according to AAA New York, has lost $40 million in revenue from nonpaying drivers. This lost revenue could go towards funding improvements to New York's aging infrastructure.

In order to ensure that New Yorkers are not on the hook to make up the difference for scofflaws, tough regulations must be on the books that will make motorists think twice before crossing any one of New York’s bridges without paying the toll.

“For the past three years, I have tirelessly advocated to stop toll evaders who are robbing our state of legitimate revenue. With hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid tolls at stake, New York can and must send a strong message that toll evasion will be viewed as seriously as other forms of theft. Suspending the vehicle registration of motorists who refuse to follow the rules provides the DMV a new tool in their arsenal,” said Senator David Carlucci.

Additionally, the Senate also passed bill S.2018, which would strengthen the ability of New York's four authorities that operate toll facilities, the Thruway Authority, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Bridge Authority, and the Port Authority, to effectively manage and enforce the collection of tolls throughout the State. While the benefits of E-ZPass are numerous, it does provide opportunities for abuse. Those who are not E-ZPass subscribers can evade tolls by driving through lanes designated for that purpose. 

This legislation takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem of toll evasion by clarifying the existing theft of services offense to make clear that it also includes avoidance of paying tolls on any road, bridge or tunnel that requires them. Senator Carlucci is also the sponsor of bills to create a resident toll discount for Rockland and Westchester residents, enact a commuter toll tax credit and consolidate services at the Thruway Authority and the Bridge Authority.