Relates to the monitoring of vehicular traffic speed by electronic toll collection systems operated by public authorities

BILL NUMBER:S1616

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the monitoring of vehicular traffic speed by electronic toll collection systems

Purpose

To prevent the authorities from using E-Z pass toll tags to catch speeding drivers.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill would prohibit authorities from using vehicle speed data obtained by an electronic toll collection system to issue speeding tickets.

Existing law

Section 2985 (15) of the public authorities law defines an electronic toll collection system as a system that collects tolls or charges an account holder by transmission of information from an electronic device on a motor vehicle to a toll lane. Section 2985 (14) does not permit the public authority to sell, distribute, or make available in any way the name and addresses of E-Z pass account holders for commercial purposes without such account holders consent. However, this section does allow the exchange of such information between entities with jurisdiction over and or operating a toll highway bridge and tunnel facility.

Justification

Transportation officials have installed E-Z Pass monitors on 150 miles of highway in New York and New Jersey to detect traffic congestion. Although the data collected by the monitors is scrambled to protect driver's privacy, a law is still needed to ensure that the devices are not used to identify speeders. The use of the E-Z Pass system is intended to reduce traffic congestions, traffic delays and air pollution.

Therefore, the incentive for operators of motor vehicles to install E-Z Pass monitors in their motor vehicles should not be compromised by the use of this system to issue speeding tickets.

Legislative history

2009-10: S.4232

Fiscal implications

None.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act should take effect immediately.