CONCORD, N.H. --The E-ZPass system that will soon make it easier to
> pay tolls in New Hampshire will make it easier to track people's
> movements, privacy advocates warn.
> State officials say strict policies are in place to prevent that, and
> stress that E-ZPass will be voluntary. They also say the system will
> reduce traffic congestion and put off the need to expand the current > toll plazas.
>
Oklahoma, with more turnpikes than any other state, has had them for 15 years or more. In Texas, where most of the toll roads are urban, there has been a similar system (made by the same company) for years. Kansas put in a similar system a few years ago.
Those privacy concerns have been raised in each of those states, and come up again every so often. As far as I know, no problems have been reported in any of the three states with privacy problems.
As the story says, you can choose not to participate. It's a real pain once you've gotten used to driving on the turnpikes without stopping -- newer toll plazas are being built with 75 mph lanes for holders of the devices. Older toll plazas are being replaced or remodeled to provide high speed lanes for those who have the devices.
You can still pay in cash if you want to carry proper change and thread your way across several lanes to wait for your turn. If you have to make change (some remote entrances/exits do not have manned toll booths) the line will be even longer.
Wes Leatherock snipped-for-privacy@aol.com