EZ-Pass Troubles

[mcouture]

I don't know if this is the right section but here goes....

We got a new vehicle, we slap in the EZ-Pass unit from the old vehicle. Three months later we're getting "hate mail" from EZ-Pass.... Several toll violations and, yes fines!
I am now in the process of trying to "fix" this issue. I now have to write letters to each state that this occured in and try to get them to wave the fines etc etc.
What I am wondering is if the "Photo Laser Protectors" that Roy sells would protect me from being photoed?

Thanks,

[proudNMAmember]

You mean photoblocker?

[mcouture]

Yeah like:

http://www.radarbusters.com/products.../Protector.asp

or

http://www.radarbusters.com/products...-Protector.asp


Do those work in situations like toll booths? I'm tired of pointing out that their system isn't working reliably and I'm tired of fighting to get rid of the fees and fines......I am legal darn it!!!

[RDNXXX]

What kind of hate mail are you talking about from EZ pass folks ?

for instance, i recieved a notice in the mail that i exceeded the speed limit going through the EZ pass toll. It was just a warning, i had the impression the next time it would result in a fine.

They dont need to read your license plate, they can reference your EZPASS transponder # and send you notices in the mail.

I just slow down to whatever is the posted limit going through them now, thats all.

I would be surprise that you would be fined for a first offense of any kind unless you were just in hypermode going through the toll booth.

fines are never fun.

To answer your question the super protector plate cover would help to avoid them reading your license plate, but assuming you have a transponder # if so they got you both ways. if no transponder you might have a chance with the Super Protector.

I know the super protector works because in DC airport parking garages they check all license plates and run them through the system. they could not read mine so , actually wrote it down on paper for the record. the following weeks i was pulled over and they conficasted the plate cover and gave me an $80 fine for a reflective plate cover. SO you have that to worry about.

[kpatz]

What do the violation notices say?

If you can, scan one of them, blank out any personal info, and post it here.

The only reasons I can think of that you'd get a violation is (a) if they are unable to get a transponder reading or (b) you're blowing through the booth at a high rate of speed, or (c) you have a prepaid account and the balance is depleted, or they can't charge your credit card for some reason.

You should also make sure the account has your new car on it, but even if you don't, it shouldn't cause a violation. They just want your money, so the violations are usually due to going through an EZ Pass lane with no transponder.

Where do you have the transponder mounted? What kind of vehicle is it?

[mcouture]

Well this is a new 2006 Chevy Trailblazer. There was a 2 week period of "several unreadable events" ...per what the customer service rep told me. They could see the vehicle trip either entering the turnpike or exiting the turnpike, therefore not getting a full reading.
We bought this vehicle new and put our EZ-Pass unit in it. We had no problems for a month to month and a half, then 2 weeks of on-off success, then no problems to-date.
Now, maybe we went too fast through the booth but I try go no more than 20.
I'm not looking to "steal" tolls, I am trying to protect myself. I have the transponder, I have my account in good standings, I see the green light go on as I go through the toll booth and still I have several fines and have to explain myself.
It's all just a pain in the butt......

[kpatz]

It sounds like they had some troubles reading your transponder, though if the light turned green, all should be fine.

Where do you have the transponder mounted? I know in NH they recommend putting it up high on the windshield next to, or above the rear view mirror. Also, does your car or windshield have metallic tint?

Were all the violations in the same location/booth? Maybe there was a problem with the reader in that booth. Or your transponder is faulty. Is there anything you recall about that 2 week period that might nail down a pattern--you went through a certain booth those weeks, you had something in the car you didn't have the rest of the time (something that was interfering with the signal), or the transponder was mounted in a different spot, or something?

[RDNXXX]

Hmmmm, so if i read your repsonse correct, they are not reading your transponder at all times, but get your license number and send you the fines in the mail as if you ran the toll booth.

if thats the case interesting. i can think of only the following.

1) Tint in the window metallic or something affecting the reading of your transponder going thru toll.

Do you have a metallic tint or something in the window. I would research that (far reaching guess)

2) bad transponder ( although worked in other car, makes me think transponder not suspect) request replacement

3) transponder is in the package that it came in, this is suppose to suppress so reading is not atainable until properly mounted

4) slow down more going through toll booth and see if it helps.

if not i am at a lost also.

[mcouture]

Transponder works in other vehicles just fine so I don't think it's that. The new vehicle has no aftermarket stuff on it at all so no special tints and no metallic tints.
Customer service told me to slow down too. They said most toll boths will trigger an error or a fine at 19 mph! I find that hard to believe but makes you wonder....
If it happens again, I will get a new transponder for sure...maybe their license plate mounted one this time....