Help me understand the I-PASS system

[Bream Master]

Alright guys,

Last week I went up to WI for a wedding and I noticed in IL, near Chicago, there were a lot of toll booths.  I did stop at the first one and afterwards I noticed some cars beside me just kept zooming on by like they didn't even see the toll lane.  So, from then on, I didn't stop at the toll booths either.  It's not like they have some guy out there enforcing you to go into the toll lane.  Besides, the toll lane and I-PASS both lead back out into the same interstate anyway.

Laugh all you want but this really bothered me how I couldn't come to a conclustion about how this system works.

Why is there an I-PASS?  Why do some stop to pay the toll when others just zoom by?

Cheers.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Here is how it works for me> HEY MUDDY YOU WANT TO WORK TODAY? NAH I-PASS

ACTUALLY You get in touch with you local Dept Of Traffic /Highways . You can do it on line in most states. You pre pay a certain amopunt they give you this plastic thingy and put it on your windshield, as you drive through the Ipass or some states call it EZPASS it pays the toll automatically, and deducts it from your account. Most states will tell you when you get under a certain amount so you can put more in your account.

[Bream Master]

Well, oopps, I certainly did not get one of those cards to put in front of my windshield.  Do you think they'll track me down and charge me what I owe?  Do they have cameras to catch people who don't have those passes and just zoom on by, like myself.

So for those who do have passes, you're saying there is some device that detects a certain code off the card while a car is going 70+ mph?  Fascinating.

Well dang...

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I don't know about going 70 but I go through regually at 35 to 45 mph without one error!!!! Yea they do have cameras and will charge you up to 25 bucks extra for the first offense :-/

[FL_fisher]

one time I went through the sunpass lane by mistake and I got a bill in the mail for 25 cents. So you might get a bill for what you owe.

[Long Mike]

In Oklahoma it's called a Pike-Pass because our turnpikes are all toll roads.  In some areas you have to drive through a toll booth and the max speed is 35mph.  In other areas you drive under an sensor on the turnpike with a max speed of 75mph.  The Highway Patrol just LOVES to hang around the high speed areas and nail those folks without a Pike-Pass.  A violation light lets the cops know which lane the scofflaw is in and they are perched about 100 yards in front of the offender.  The fine is $150.

[bassdocktor]

Hey being from Illinois I can help you with the I pass situation. You can actually get an I pass at places like Jewel or other grocery stores. With the I pass I believe you get a discount at several of the tolls. Now you can use the I Pass in Indiana with their new I Zoom system if you register it online with Indiana.

Yes they do have cameras at the I Pass booths and I have heard of many people being sent fines or bill for flying through the IPass lane without paying. Sorry to have to tell you that. I know you can get a small envelope from other toll booth to give them money should you "accicdentally" go through an IPass lane.

Why an I Pass? The entire idea is decrease travel time by letting people freeely pass through. Hoever when you pass through certain areas they actually make more congestion when they only have 1 or 2 manuel lanes open.

Hope this helps,

Bassdocktor