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6/22/2019
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General Assembly passes bill cracking down on bridge toll violators and evaders
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STATE HOUSE — The General Assembly has approved legislation introduced by House Majority Whip John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Portsmouth, Tiverton) and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton) to redefine “toll violators” and “toll evaders.”
The legislation (2019-H 5874, 2019-S 0781A) would reduce the number of infractions for a person to be considered a “toll violator” from 20 to 10. The act would also reduce the number of infractions for a person to be considered a “toll evader” from one 100 to 20.
“When drivers rack up that many toll violations, it becomes unfair to everyone else who diligently pays the tolls every time they go over a tolled bridge,” said Representative Edwards. “It unfairly shifts the financial burden of maintaining those bridges to other users. And we owe it to taxpayers to see that those projects are funded in a fair and equitable manner.”
Toll violators are reported to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. The violators cannot renew their driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations until any unpaid toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines are paid to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.
Toll evaders may receive a traffic violation summons to the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, which may suspend the toll evader’s driver’s license for up to six months and assess a fine of up to $500, or both.
“When you have electronic tolling, such as E-Z Pass, it’s inevitable that you’re going to have toll violators,” said Senator DiPalma. “For those few who don’t take the bridge tolls seriously, this legislation will give us a way to get their attention, and let them know that they’re going to be expected to pay the same as everyone else.”
The measure now moves to the governor’s office.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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