Why are they taking my picture ??

They "upgraded" the toll booths on the Turnpike I guess a year ago.
They took away the 2 & 1/2 foot wide change baskets and installed a little 6 X 9 inch funnel, which cause TONS of people to drop a quarter that rolls to the center of their car.

This is cool because I can pick up the loose change to help pay the toll, as I have long arms - but not such a great idea overall. It blocks traffic as people have to dig for another coin.

Then, after paying the toll - they take a pic of your face AND your tag, every TIME. I know they are saving the pictures, filed away with the License Plate, but for how long? I've been putting my hand up (in a car) or shield down, to spoil their pic.

Is this going on in other States??

Lastly (unrelated) I've been seeing a yellow flashing left arrow signal.
You get a green left arrow first for maybe 20 sec, then, when the straight lanes go green, the left yellow flashes for the duration of the green light.
It seems to improve traffic flow, but would also encourage the unexpected "left turn" in front of you, which is deadly to Motorcyclists.

 

I've noticed the cameras for sure. Was on the Florida Turnpike recently on the bike. Didn't have sticker for it yet but will sure buy one. My plan was to drive east to Orlando but only had bills on me. Figured I would get change half way there at the toll booths close to Leesburg. Well, looked like it was starting to rain so I pulled off at the Leesburg exit. And of course, booth there is an automated funnel type. Had no way to give it change and I'm just looking into the camera for about a minute. Worse yet, I was in the E-pass lane and couldn't get to one of those pay envelopes. Well, rain stopped by that time, so I said F'it, And got back on hauled balls to the bar in Orlando (Cafe/Vintage riding group meet up). I'm sure they will send me a notice. Why don't they have credit / ATM card swipe terminal at these booths. Would make life so much easier.

 

In Michigan we have these roads called FREEways. Interesting concept.

 

That's in the news now around Minneapolis. Cameras and on squad cars throughout the city take pictures of plates and they used to keep the data for 1 year, but currently, it's 3 months. The purpose, according to the news, is to identify stolen cars.

 

On the one hand I agree with you Fitz. I paid about $8.00 each way on that trip. Glad I didn't spend much on gas :wink: On the other hand, I must admit I do like how nice they maintain these toll roads. And you don't see any advertisement as you see on the freeways. Not as much trucks as well. On the Sunshine turnpike, I never see any trucks at all. Having grown up in Michigan, unless things have changed, B-52's look like like they have carpet bombed those freeways. Especially around Detroit-metro. I'm sure winter weather has a lot to do with that.

 

I'm pretty sure this system has been around a few years.

 

I thought that too, but in traveling a bit in the last few years I've seen many a toll road in quite bad repair, and I've seen quite a few nice roads / freeways in MI.

Ohio seems to be a real pickle: charge you every 6 miles, to drive on a crappy road, and, AND, have a 55mph speed limit. eesh. I always am elated to get out of Ohio when driving. ( no offense to ohio people, but I AM from MI ).

I went through an IL charge-em station and didn't have change, so i just drove through, but the next station attendant gave me a slip that showed me how to pay online. How nice.

* edit * was a little slow, this was in reference to the toll roads, not the pictures. erp

 

I love me some freeways. I also love me some tollways. When I head west to visit family in Oregon I usually go through Denver and stay the night there, but if I'm in a hurry I take the expressway. I'm more than happy to pay $6.00 to save myself 45 minutes-to-an-hour of sitting in traffic.

 

You haven't been to Ohio for awhile... The speed limit is now 65. I've been impressed that most of them actually go that. When it was 55 they all seemed to drive 51.

Still not like Michigan, 70 and that's for the slow lane!

The flashing yellow turn arrow is the new standard for left turn lanes. It's replacing the blinking red light.

 

We have those dang cameras here in NC. They take a pic of your face and license tag and send you a ticket in the mail if you run a red light. They are also on a new freeway(not free but that's what they call it) they send you a bill in the mail to collect the toll.

 

They made this illegal in Minnesota. Somebody must of had a good lawyer or something but they removed all red light cameras because they cannot prove the driver of the car or something like that.

 

I have seen more than a few news reports stating the feds want to start charging for driving on every road; with a mileage tax to replace the gasoline tax. With cars becoming more efficient and using less fuel, especially with hybrid and electric cars, they are starting to lose pace with the road infrastructure generated gasoline tax revenue. They already have the black boxes on the newer cars. Wouldn't be too hard to track those cars. Not sure what they would do about the older autos and bikes. As long as they don't put a black box on my bikes, LOL.

 

I suspect, the black box in our bikes will start mailing quite a few speeding tickets Of course, an average hacker might be able to exploit the system easily if typical security is any indication.

 

They have one Toll road here in Ontario that I used to use to by-pass driving through Toronto on my way to the races. I don't know how U.S. Toll roads work, but here, frequent users can get a transponder to install on your vehicle. For people that use it less frequently (me) I get an electronic bill in the inbox (signed up) that tells you how much you owe. The catch is that it's tied directly into the M.T.O. and they will not sell you your licence sticker (tags) when you go to renew if you have any outstanding charges.

 

I have never seen one!Fill me in!

 

i have a pair of wire cutters

 

That rumor has been around for at least 30 years.

 

Here in the people's republic of Maryland, they built a new toll road $8 each way, ezpass tags only, which they charge you a monthly fee just to have, or $25 each way mailed to you, . The road wasn't getting enough use so they raised the tolls! Government thinking at it's best.

 

In Illinois, it's illegal to pick up that loose change at the tollbooth. I know, it makes no sense.

 

Them wanting it isn't a rumor. And now the tech to do it is easy. There is, however, pretty serious resistance to this.