How some drivers might try to cheat the new I-405 tolling system
Aug 5, 2015, 7:22 AM | Updated: 12:55 pm
The Good To Go Flex Pass sticks to a car windshield with small Velcro tabs and can be switched for use in HOV and toll lanes on the fly. Motorcycle passes do not look like this. (Chris Sullivan/KIRO Radio)
(Chris Sullivan/KIRO Radio)
What prevents a driver from cheating in the new I-405 HOV toll lanes in September? Not much.
Cheaters could simply get a free Good To Go Motorcycle Pass (while supplies last), affix it to their car, and get around paying the toll.
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Why? Motorcycles are allowed to use the Express Toll Lanes for free and there’s no way for the system to discern whether you’re truly cruising on two wheels.
But be warned: It’s cheating. It’s wrong, and you will get nailed with a ticket if you’re caught.
The motorcycle passes look nothing like the Flex Pass for cars. They’re smaller, clear, and aren’t able to switch between toll mode and HOV mode.
A state trooper will have to catch a cheater in the act to bust them. And there are tools in place to help nab the offenders. Any time an exempt vehicle, such as a motorcycle or bus, passes under the toll gantry, a light will flash, alerting troopers.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has said extra patrols will be in place when the tolls take effect.
“We’re going to have quite a few emphasis patrols out there; more WSP than usual patrolling the system,” said Jennifer Charlebois, Washington State Department of Transportation toll systems engineer. “For the first few weeks, they’re really going to be focusing on education.
HOV violators can expect a $124 ticket. A toll evasion charge could also apply.
Drivers can help troopers catch the cheaters with the HOV Hero program, which allows citizens to call the WSDOT and report license plates of HOV cheaters. WSDOT said it received a total of about 44,000 calls and 1,000 emails in the past couple of years.
Related: Thousands of drivers report HOV violations every year
Because the WSDOT isn’t an enforcement agency, first-time offenders will receive an educational brochure in the mail. Second-time offenders will get a letter from the WSDOT. On the third time, the Washington State Patrol will send a letter.
Troopers issued more than 7,600 HOV violation tickets in 2014 during targeted enforcement.
(NOTE: KIRO Radio and MyNorthwest do not encourage drivers to cheat the tolling system on I-405.)
