A Brighton woman was mistakenly charged $144 in Easy Pass fees due to a duplicate license plate issued to both her and a state police vehicle. The incident highlights issues with license plate management and the need for clearer identification for state vehicles.
In a perplexing incident that has drawn attention to the management of license plates, a woman from Brighton, New York, found herself facing unexpected charges due to a duplicate license plate issued to both her vehicle and a state police car. This situation raises questions about the efficiency of the system and the implications for everyday citizens.
According to a report by Berkeley Breen for News 10 NBC, the woman began noticing Easy Pass charges on her credit card in January and February, each time for $25. After four charges, she contacted Easy Pass to investigate the issue. To her surprise, she discovered that the charges were linked to a state police vehicle bearing the same license plate number: 1 M-20.
The state police car was triggering Easy Pass charges for congestion pricing every time it entered Manhattan, but instead of billing the police department, the charges were erroneously sent to her account. The woman explained that her car, which has the same plate, was parked in her garage, and she was not using it during the times the charges were incurred.
The woman revealed that the license plate had been issued to her late husband when he began working for Monroe County in the 1960s. Despite his passing five years ago, she continued to use the plate on her vehicle. The situation became increasingly frustrating as she faced mounting charges, totaling $144, and expressed concern about an upcoming trip to Michigan, where she would not be able to use her vehicle without incurring further fees.
After the news station contacted the New York State DMV, they were informed that the state police typically request new plates for fleet vehicles from the DMV, ensuring that the chosen configuration is not already registered. However, in this case, a duplicate plate was issued, leading to the confusion.
The New York State Police acknowledged that they had been wrongly charged approximately $13,000 since January 1st due to the duplicate plate issue. They are currently working with the MTA to reverse these charges.
This incident raises significant questions about the management of license plates and the potential for similar errors in the future. The woman expressed her frustration, stating that the situation was not only inconvenient but also financially burdensome. She suggested that state vehicles should have distinct license plates to avoid such confusion, a practice already in place in other states like Michigan.
In Michigan, state-owned vehicles have different plate designs that clearly identify them as government vehicles. This could prevent situations where a civilian is charged for tolls incurred by a state vehicle, as seen in this case.
The story of the Brighton woman and her duplicate license plate serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of accurate record-keeping and the need for clear identification of state vehicles. As the New York State Police and MTA work to resolve the issue, it highlights the necessity for improved systems to prevent such errors from affecting innocent citizens in the future. The incident not only underscores the challenges of modern toll systems but also the need for better communication and management between state agencies.
