NY State Police Seize 136 Vehicles in Toll Crackdown

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Police Troop T, in partnership with the New York State Thruway Authority, seized 170 vehicles and issued more than 1,000 tickets during four statewide enforcement details on the Thruway system that targeted drivers who persistently violated tolls, and had ghost plates and illegible or missing license plates. The details occurred this fall along the Thruway in Albany, the Hudson Valley and Syracuse. The owners of 30 vehicles that were impounded and had suspended registrations owed nearly $82,000 in unpaid tolls and fees to the Thruway Authority. The Authority has since recovered almost $38,000, representing 46 percent of the total owed, from 16 vehicle owners.

“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,” Governor Hochul said. “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 is the second major operation on the Thruway this year, following a coordinated enforcement campaign consisting of three enforcement details that took place over the summer, resulting in State Police seizing 140 vehicles and issuing 711 tickets. The summer and fall enforcement details resulted in the Authority recovering $116,000 of the $207,000 owed (56 percent) from 37 vehicle owners.

New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare 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.”

Across the country, there has been a notable increase in the use of fraudulent or “ghost” plates over the past few years to avoid cameras used to collect tolls without stopping. Additionally, some motorists also intentionally cover, obstruct and deface license plates, or use fake temporary tags, or “temp tags,” to make it harder for cameras and license plate readers to identify the vehicles.

• On Tuesday, Sept. 30, State Police impounded 59 vehicles from motorists crossing the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (GMMCB), which connects Westchester and Rockland counties, 25 for toll evasion. Troopers issued 206 tickets as part of the operation, including 128 for license plate violations.
• On Thursday, Oct. 16, State Police impounded 14 vehicles from motorists on I-90 in Syracuse, 1 for toll evasion. The operation resulted in 195 tickets, including 60 for plate violations.
• On Tuesday, Oct. 28, State Police impounded 35 vehicles from motorists on I-87 in Albany, 4 for toll evasion. Troopers issued 308 tickets, including 145 for plate violations, during the operation.
• On Thursday, Nov. 20, State Police impounded 62 vehicles from motorists crossing the GMMCB, 17 for toll evasion. Troopers issued 329 tickets as part of the operation, including 153 for license plate violations.

Troopers focused on suspended registrations, many of which had been suspended for unpaid tolls or lack of insurance, which resulted in the vehicle being towed. Additionally, Troopers issued tickets for fraudulent and obstructed license plates, as well as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, cell phone use, driving with an expired driver’s license or expired registration, and other violations. The Troop T Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit (CVEU) also participated to enforce safety standards and regulations for trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles. In addition to violations referenced above, over the course of the four targeted campaigns, troopers also made several arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI), drugs and warrant-related charges. During the Nov. 20 operation on the GMMCB, investigators from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles joined with State Police to help identify non-compliant vehicles and motorists.

State Police Troop T led the operation while the Thruway Authority’s Traffic Safety and Maintenance teams in all four of its Divisions assisted with traffic control.