New York State Police Troop T, working with the New York State Thruway Authority, conducted four enforcement operations this fall targeting drivers who repeatedly violated toll rules or used ghost plates and illegible or missing license plates on the Thruway system. These operations took place in Albany, the Hudson Valley, and Syracuse.
During these efforts, authorities seized 170 vehicles and issued more than 1,000 tickets. Of the vehicles impounded, 30 had suspended registrations due to unpaid tolls or lack of insurance. The owners of these vehicles owed nearly $82,000 in unpaid tolls and fees. The Thruway Authority has recovered almost $38,000 from 16 vehicle owners so far.
Governor Kathy Hochul stated: “Cracking down on persistent toll-evaders makes driving on the Thruway system fairer and more affordable for New Yorkers, all while funding critical infrastructure improvements that make our roads safer and more reliable. Initiatives like these get bad actors off our roads and allow us to continue making historic investments in our roads, bridges and tunnels, giving everyone a better, safer ride.”
This operation follows another major campaign earlier in the year during which State Police seized 140 vehicles and issued 711 tickets over three details during the summer. Combined summer and fall enforcement actions led to recovery of $116,000 out of $207,000 owed from 37 vehicle owners.
Frank G. Hoare, Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority said: “These enforcement crackdowns send a clear message to drivers who don’t pay their tolls that we’re not going to tolerate illegal behavior. We will continue to protect our tolling customers who follow the rules. We thank Governor Hochul and New York State Police Troop T for making this issue a top priority along with our partners who took part in this operation, including the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.”
State Police Superintendent Steven G. James added: “These enforcement details affirm our commitment to holding accountable those who use fake, stolen and obscured license plates. These offenders are not only breaking the law, but they are also putting other motorists at risk. I thank Governor Hochul for her sustained support and the Thruway Authority for its steadfast partnership. We also appreciate the Department of Motor Vehicles for its participation in these important enforcement efforts.”
The use of fraudulent or ghost plates has increased nationally as some drivers try to avoid camera-based toll collection systems by using fake temporary tags or covering license plates.
Details from each operation include:
– On September 30 at Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (GMMCB), police impounded 59 vehicles (25 for toll evasion) and issued 206 tickets (128 for plate violations).
– On October 16 on I-90 in Syracuse, police impounded 14 vehicles (1 for toll evasion) with 195 tickets issued (60 for plate violations).
– On October 28 on I-87/90 in Albany, police impounded 35 vehicles (4 for toll evasion) with 308 tickets issued (145 for plate violations).
– On November 20 at GMMCB again, police impounded 62 vehicles (17 for toll evasion) with a total of 329 tickets issued (153 for plate violations).
Troopers focused on suspended registrations related to unpaid tolls or lack of insurance; such cases resulted in towing vehicles involved. Tickets were also given out for fraudulent or obstructed license plates as well as other infractions including speeding or expired documentation.
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Units participated by enforcing safety standards among trucks and buses; several arrests were made relating to DWI offenses as well as drug-related or warrant charges.
The E-ZPass system allows drivers discounts up to 75 percent on Thruway Tolls when using an E-ZPass NY Tag; information is available at e-zpassny.com where accounts can be created online. For those without E-ZPass accounts bills are mailed based on DMV records within about a month after travel; late payments result in escalating fees.
An Office of Toll Payer Advocate is available through the Thruway Authority’s customer service center to help resolve disputes regarding billing issues.
The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway is one of America’s oldest interstate highways dating back to early construction in the1950s; it is funded primarily by user-paid tolls rather than federal or state tax dollars—one-third comes from out-of-state travelers annually.
In recent years usage has been high—with over400 million transactions processed last year—and ongoing capital investment plans aim at upgrading pavement lanes as well as replacing bridges across its network.
Toll rates remain lower than many comparable roadways nationwide—less than five cents per mile compared with higher rates elsewhere—and fatality rates are below national averages according to recent statistics.
Drivers are reminded that expanded Move Over Law provisions require slowing down near stopped roadside vehicles; authorities emphasize shared responsibility for safety among all highway users.