Highway Robbery in the United States

                      This is a Stick-up, Don't make this a Court Date!

Many of the most difficult issues drivers must face is traffic safety.  If travelers are not carefully paying attention to road hazards, they are diligently paying with cash or credit cards to obtain convenient ways for efficient travel.  Given the similarities between our tollways, turnpikes and interstate highways often require payment to travel these expressways. Such legalized extortion on United States highways and turnpikes may vary. Transponders are used to electronically collect money and can be found in states such as New York, Illinois, Oklahoma and California.

At first glance, crossing over the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge built in 1939,  drivers travel south on Interstate 678.  Road construction is nothing new, as vehicles slow to a snail’s pace and inch along toward the “Big Apple.” Unlike free roads that lead motorists into the city, travelers must open their eyes and their wallets for thruway agents ahead and pay the suggested added road tax.  A distinctive purple and white E-ZPass logo sign will warn a driver that they are about to be robbed. If you do not own an E-ZPass transponder the driver must have the money ready or face going to jail. Fees may fluctuate depending on the miles traveled. However, the state of New York offers basic annual packages starting at $88.00 with no minimum driving required.  That is approximately $8.00 per month with some restrictions on bridges such as, George Washington and Goose Island. Should the need to occur, To be eligible for E-ZPass® Plus you need to replenish your E-ZPass® account with a credit card. Next, the driver will be directed out of the Thruway gate and safely proceed back onto the roadway. 

No matter what time of day, Interstate 290 is bumper to bumper with cars and trucks coming and going into Chicago, Illinois.  This slow moving parking lot on I-290 is located in the heart of the windy city and vehicles will begin to move at the posted speed limit of 55 mph heading westbound. Traffic lightens and easier travel begins.  What may appear as a broken ramp meter, is actually the on ramp transition off Austin and Harlem roads.  Next, as the driver enters the I-90 transition heading toward Rockford, Illinois, tollway employees hired by elected officials await to take the travelers’ cash.  In the land of Lincoln free travel on the Interstates is only a fairy tale and is prohibited by law. I-Pass lanes are clearly marked with blue and white signs to inform toll users that a fare is required up ahead. “Toll rates can range from $1.50 to as much as $10.00,” depending on how far a motorist may travel (Office of the Illinois Secretary of State). Furthermore, if the toll user refuses to pay, the driver could in fact have their license revoked or suspended. Unlike New York and California that use an agency called the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) for their drivers, the State of Illinois has what is known as the Secretary of State, that issues driver’s licenses to their legal road users.  This government facility will keep a watchful eye. According to Acting Executive Director Michael King of the Illinois Tollway, “More than 80 percent of the 1.4 million daily drivers on the Illinois Tollway” enjoy the convenience of I-PASS, those who drive their roads, using surveillance cameras, law enforcement and other methods of payment for toll convenience (Office of the Illinois Secretary of State).

In California, there are a number of freeways that use the FasTrack system.  Freeway travelers have the option to use a carpool lane that allows access for registered credit card holders. This service may be use to commute faster and could be more productive for drivers.  FasTrak toll collections have a three point system. “As the vehicle enters the toll lane, sensors detect the vehicle. The two-antenna configuration reads a transponder mounted on the vehicle's windshield and a payment is electronically collected” (The Toll Roads).  For example, a commuter using FasTrack will notice a green and white sign with a digital fare required. Once a FasTrack user makes that commitment., they may enter the carpool lane. However, note that solo-driver FasTrak customers should not enter these express lanes when an HOV ONLY message is displayed on the roadways overhead. Law enforcement will not grant safe passage, should a motorist have the proper credentials for solo drivers using this roadway.  Drivers who do not possess a FasTrack pass mounted inside their clear windshield, can face heavy penalties and perhaps jail time for violating California state laws. However, should a FasTrack consumer need to calculate a fare to Irvine or Laguna Niguel, FasTrack has an online map to help out loyal customers. Despite that fact we need toll roads to get to work, for school and to see our families, many similarities can be found.  The I-Pass and E Z Pass can be used in states such as Indiana, Ohio, and northern parts of Pennsylvania. The transponders are nearly the same size, are mounted on the windshield and payments can be deducted from your bank or credit card.  Unfortunately, these two transponders are exempt from the Pike Pass, located in Oklahoma and only residents from that state have the privilege of using this electronic toll collection.   Exact-change bays and toll booth agents have the same attributes as the I-Pass and E ZPass Whereas the FasTrak is unmanned and more efficient.

Of course California and New York have the authority to place toll users out of service and jail time under vagrant laws. Furthermore, Illinois and Oklahoma can enforce a toll user with hefty fines and suspended driving privileges. These toll implications are still punishable by law. Some may argue that tolls are too expensive, and other say toll roads are needed to help with the upkeep. The toll roads have become a life-line in commerce, and should these roadways be disrupted, goods, services and the quality of life can be delayed

History has shown us that coach roads were once used and that beautiful young ladies lost their baubles to the trade of highwaymen. Outlaws were hunted down by the townspeople and victims would hang the bandits for the crimes committed. Today, drivers are being robbed by the towns themselves as greed has become the American way of life. Road taxes can be good if the money is used for the right reasons and not ill will toward gluttony. In time, there will be no one left to rob and hopefully corruption shall be punished like the highwaymen during the 1800’s, and justice shall prevail once again.