The Chronicle has the story of a woman who managed to rack up $17,651 in fines because she likes to use the tollways without the hassle and bother of an EZ Tag:
Adams has managed to amass $17,651.25 in fines and violations for misusing EZ Tag lanes since March 2003, Harvey said.
Adams was caught in a previous sting, Harvey said. The Harris County Attorney’s Office has a judgment against her for misusing EZ Tag lanes, but Harvey said Adams not only never paid what she owed, “she kept on violating.”
[snip]
Adams’ prize Wednesday was a trip to jail, where she remained Thursday in lieu of $200 bail, according to court records. Her car was towed away and booted, Harvey said. To ransom her car, Adams must now try to work out a deal with Linebarger to pay off her fines.
This extreme story reminded me of an old Lucas Wall “Move It!” column where he dealt with this clueless question:
Q: I am a user of the Westpark Tollway. However, I see that I might need an EZ Tag. I have been unable to find out how or where I can get such a tag. There is no info on the new toll road about this. Can you help me?
— Catherine Burns, Houston
A: First, stop driving on the Westpark Tollway until you buy an EZ Tag, the electronic device that attaches to your windshield so you can pay tolls electronically. You’ll notice there are no traditional toll booths that accept cash.
Every time you have driven on the Westpark your license plate has been photographed by the Harris County Toll Road Authority’s automated enforcement system. The cameras recognize when a car drives through a sensor without a tag. You can expect to receive tickets in the mail soon.
Good grief!
