That's it, I've had it with the Toll Road!

[skurvy]

So- it's a no win situation trying to use a Smart Tag on the motorcycle. In the past I've used a digital camera bag hooked to my Timbuk messenger bag and that used to work maybe 90% of the time. Then, it worked less and less. I tried holding it at an angle to register, slowing down to a crawl... it was hit or miss at that point.

Then when they started reinforcing the use of the violation cameras last year (Apr/May '07), I received 5 toll violations within a two week period. Keep in mind this all happened while having the smart tag on my bag. So I disputed the charges and they just deducted the tolls from my account for each violation. Then the representative told me that since it's a motorcycle I can just add that vehicle to my account and if the "Toll not paid" light goes off, they'll see that it's tied to my account and deduct the toll accordingly. So in theory, you don't even need to carry the smart tag with you on the motorcycle, right?

It's been working like that for a year. IF I have the time and the lines are not long I will stop in the cash lines and pay the toll. But in some cases like IF IT'S RAINING, I'll use the smart tag lane and go on my way.

So what happens tonight? It starts raining and I use the smart tag lane, then pop go the blue lights. I pull over right away, shut off the bike take off my helmet and the state trooper tells me to stay put. He asks if I have a smart tag on me and I explain the whole situation. He looks at me and just says, "You're kidding, I've never heard of anything like that". License and registration...

He gives me a ticket for "Failure to obey highway sign (smart tag lane only)". I can pay the fine but get 3 points tacked on to my record or present my documentation at the court date.

From here on out, I'll strap on my smart tag again and never stop to toss quarters again.

sorry, I had to get that off my chest

[Aikidoka]

Sounds like the trooper needs to be working an area where he understands all the situations that could occur.  Well he'll know after your day in court if you go.

After having the hit and miss issue with the tag I stopped by the toll office to explain my problem.  Other people had told me that battery was only good for about 5 years.  So the person there tells me they are supposed to be good for 7 or 10 years or somethings.  But then they go, "oh you've had this about five years.  Let's just switch it out."  How new is your pass?

[Ducatista]

I'd dispute the ticket.  Unfortunately I'm sure that involves taking leave, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  I wouldn't want the points and potential insurance expense.  I'm sure the judge will cut you a break or at least take away the points. 

[ducati culture]

I'd dispute the ticket.  Unfortunately I'm sure that involves taking leave, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  I wouldn't want the points and potential insurance expense.  I'm sure the judge will cut you a break or at least take away the points. 

I concur.... 

Po-po can be a little insensitive at times.

So how did it feellll  worrrrrl  worrrl pull over fella 

[skurvy]

How new is your pass?

I've had this one for about 3 years now...

I'd dispute the ticket.  Unfortunately I'm sure that involves taking leave, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  I wouldn't want the points and potential insurance expense.  I'm sure the judge will cut you a break or at least take away the points. 

Yeah I'm hoping no points for this... (but read further down)

I concur.... 

Po-po can be a little insensitive at times.

So how did it feellll  worrrrrl  worrrl pull over fella 

Dude, IT SUCKS.

I go to the EZPass office to get this in writing and the lovely person there typed up an explanation behind the whole, "take a picture, deduct from your account" situation. It clearly states that when my motorcycle goes trough and trips the light, my actual license plate WTFRAK is recorded with a time stamp, and tolls get deducted from my account.

So I'm taking Rt.7 east to go to the Tyson's DMV to get a copy of my driving record... and what happens next?

That's right, I get pulled over again! When it rains it pours. Why would I be speeding? I was pacing a pickup truck in the center lane, and I'm the one that gets stopped, the truck keeps on going. It's right where the 28 exit is off rt.7 east before you pass Dulles Town Center, 55mph drops to 50mph.

w t frak man 

hopefully my one speeding ticket in the past 11 years will show for something. Talk about kickin a guy when he's down...

be careful out there guys

[ducless]

I'd dispute the ticket.  Unfortunately I'm sure that involves taking leave, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  I wouldn't want the points and potential insurance expense.  I'm sure the judge will cut you a break or at least take away the points. 

except that the court has nothing to do with points. they can't remove or suspend them. The Va dmv sets them. From prev. experience they dont even know what the points go with what tickets!!!!

Bad times......been there......fought that........lost.........got the t-shirt.........good luck

[Ducatista]

except that the court has nothing to do with points. they can't remove or suspend them. The Va dmv sets them. From prev. experience they dont even know what the points go with what tickets!!!!

Bad times......been there......fought that........lost.........got the t-shirt.........good luck

That is true; however, they can reduce the charge to one with fewer or no points.  Points aren't based on the charge, IIRC.  They're based on the conviction.

[rhouck]

Teaches you to tell the truth. You should've said "yes, it's right here in my bag"... and then feigned surprise that it wasn't there as if you had forgotten it.

And that's what the violation cams are for anyway; the cop shouldn't even be there. Though I am no longer surprised but any of the stupid things that VA police do.

Can you dispute the ticket by mail?

[twolanefun]

I'd dispute the ticket.  Unfortunately I'm sure that involves taking leave, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  I wouldn't want the points and potential insurance expense.  I'm sure the judge will cut you a break or at least take away the points. 

I will gladly go to court with you and explain how dangerous it is especially at the main toll plaza and how we are all having problems, I have 5 bikes, on the 3 Ducs I have it in the map pocket on top sometimes it works some times it doesn't, on the Victory's I have a little cell phone type pouch mounted to the Handlebars it works about 95% of the time. Also might wnat to contact AMA. I am dying to make a case out of this and get it fixed. I want to know why they can pickup a Superbike on the front straight of VIR, Road Atlanta etc.... at 160+ and yet the technology they have on the toll road cannot pickup our smart pass at 30 mph.

[Aikidoka]

I don't think the court would care too much about the danger.  Get the news people involved.  Here in MD they did an article on the old hardware in the EZ-Pass lane and malfunctioning axle counters charging car drivers as having more than two axles.  The latter at least got fixed.  The lane buzzed at me today.  The only difference was that my tank bag was fully expanded, making it closer to the sensor!  Of course what was weirder still is that the sign said PAID.  Go figure.

[Duc and Cover]

... my actual license plate WTFRAK is recorded with a time stamp, and tolls get deducted from my account.

Oh my Gods, that's awesome. Someone told me they saw a motorcycle with that plate, but I didn't know it was someone from this board.

http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/66708/detail/

[D.]

I will gladly go to court with you and explain how dangerous it is especially at the main toll plaza and how we are all having problems, I have 5 bikes, on the 3 Ducs I have it in the map pocket on top sometimes it works some times it doesn't, on the Victory's I have a little cell phone type pouch mounted to the Handlebars it works about 95% of the time. Also might wnat to contact AMA. I am dying to make a case out of this and get it fixed. I want to know why they can pickup a Superbike on the front straight of VIR, Road Atlanta etc.... at 160+ and yet the technology they have on the toll road cannot pickup our smart pass at 30 mph.

After almost dumping the bike today twice wrestling the damn EZ pass out of my jacket pocket and waving it in front of me like an idiot as I am careening into the EZ pass lane lugging in 3rd gear cause I can't downshift, it still failed. I was told last time to hold it up and out 30 feet before the toll booth.

If I don't have a tank bag, what the hell am I supposed to do with the damn thing? Tape it to my visor?!

[Slide Panda]

I've gotten it to work by stuffing it between the "windscreen" and guages on the monster. 

[tocino]

I ordered a second pass, the kind that is made for metallic tint windshields / bikes, etc. that is meant to use the same screws as a car license plate. I zip-tied it to my lower triple clamp and have never had a problem. YMMV as I have a monster without bodywork that might obscure the signal.
Another option would be this: http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Cycle-E-Pass-p-19117.html

[D.]

Thanks for the tips.

FWIW I talked to EZ pass today and they said that if the pass doesn't register on the Dulles toll road they will match my plates to my account and automatically pull the payment.

They said the Greenway, however, is not set up to do this kind of matching and I could get a violation there if I just blow through.

I might try the Aerostitch thing, thanks.

BTW, the customer service at EZ pass was exceptional, they were so nice! How rare is that? They just called me back to suggest mounting the pass to 1) windshield, 2) tank, 3) jacket, but no guarantees that this will work. Not very useful system but very nice people.