John Lev>> The potential for privacy problems is severe, but to their credit I
>> don't think I've ever heard reports of abuses. Besides the
>> possibility of tracking people by tag use, there's the violation
>> tracking issue. If you drive through an E-ZPAss booth in NY with no
>> tag or an invalid tag, a camera takes a picture of your car and they
>> will ask the state DMV to look up the license plate number so they can
>> send you a ticket.
> The original private contractor for the NJ EZP system was notoriously,
> sending out many violation notices that weren't deserved. That
> strongly discouraged motorists from adopting EZP. Of course, now the
> NJTpk intends to eliminate the EZP discount, which is a stupid move
> since it removes the incentive for motorists to use EZP, esp
> occassional drivers. Result is more overcrowding in cash lanes.
Massachusetts doesn't give a discount for FastLane, but last year they instituted a tax deduction if you use it enough to be considered a commuter (I think $150 or $250).
Barry Margolin, snipped-for-privacy@alum.mit.edu Arlington, MA
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