In a recent development on Monday, December 11th, New York City’s efforts to combat “ghost cars” have intensified, with the NYPD issuing 75% more tickets for vehicles with covered, defaced, or phony license plates. This crackdown comes as the city prepares to implement congestion pricing tolls in Manhattan, a move that could potentially trigger a surge in new toll dodgers.
The upcoming tolls, targeting vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street, are set to charge passenger cars $15 and large trucks up to $36 per trip. However, experts warn that without stricter enforcement, the city could see an increase in vehicles evading tolls and speed cameras by using altered license plates. This evasion could significantly impact the program’s revenue, expected to generate $1 billion annually, and undermine its goal to reduce traffic congestion.
Sam Schwartz, a former New York City traffic commissioner, highlighted the ease of acquiring fake plates, noting the potential for a substantial increase in toll dodging once congestion pricing is in place. The NYPD’s recent crackdown, including a targeted campaign for a ban on the sale of camera-blocking license plate covers, reflects the city’s commitment to tackling this issue.
Despite these efforts, some drivers in the city continue to elude detection, with about 5% of cars triggering red lights or speed cameras remaining untraceable due to illegible plates. Drivers are known to “dog-ear” plates or obscure license plate numbers with leaves or covers to prevent reading. The MTA reports similar challenges, with approximately 6% of bridge and tunnel drivers avoiding tolls in the city due to defaced plates.
The city’s approach includes increased public involvement, with New Yorkers encouraged to report plate-defacing vehicles via a designated 311 complaint category. However, a significant number of these reports have not led to corrective action, indicating the ongoing challenge of enforcing compliance.
Adam White, a lawyer and advocate for stricter enforcement, emphasizes the need for more robust measures, including the use of vehicle boots and impounding. He also suggests federal intervention to ban paper plates, commonly used by toll dodgers.
As the city braces for the implementation of congestion pricing, the battle against “ghost cars” remains a critical concern. Ensuring fair and effective toll collection is essential for the success of the program, both in terms of revenue generation and achieving its traffic reduction objectives.
