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Caught On Camera: Reckless Drivers Avoiding Toll Road Fees In South Florida

By Patrick Frye
Published on: 15:12 PST, Nov 18, 2014

In South Florida, reckless drivers have been caught on camera trying to avoid paying tolls. South Florida police are taking steps to catch the many drivers who are running tolls to save a few bucks.

In a related report by The Inquisitr, heavy fees for driving a rental car on e-toll roads in an unfamiliar city could await renters in an electronic toll nightmare.

For many commuters around the country, toll charges are an unfortunate reality of life on the road that most drivers just learn to deal with. In Florida, state officials said toll evaders account for more than $36 million in unpaid tolls statewide, reported NBC6.

Shameless: This driver uses his foot to contribute to southern Florida's $36million toll-dodging problem
Shameless: This driver uses his foot to contribute to southern Florida’s $36million toll-dodging problem

But as these pictures show, some motorists are so desperate to cling onto their loose change that almost anything is fair game for dodging paying what may be as little as 26 cents.

Duct tape can fix anything, in this case creative toll evasion.
Duct tape can fix anything, in this case creative toll evasion.

“They’re tough to catch, especially when they’re so reckless out there,” Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Louis Tejera said.

While some may use less reckless everyday tactics for avoiding number plate-tracking cameras including bending the plate back or trying to change the numbers by smearing on grease.

In some cases even passengers ride the outside of the vehicle to hide the license plate with their bodies.

This passenger used his feet to block the tag while hanging on for his life.
This passenger used his feet to block the tag while hanging on for his life.

Others were talented enough to cover their license plate with their hand by reaching behind their motorcycle.

This motorcyclist tests his reach and skill to evade a toll.
This motorcyclist tests his reach and skill to evade a toll.
This biker lays out in Superman style to cover his tag with his feet.
This biker lays out in Superman style to cover his tag with his feet.

State authorities said commercial drivers are the worst offenders for evading tolls. For those commercial driver who actually pay tolls, a driver can easily pay $500 a month in highway fees. Toll dodgers disfigure their tags to and keep their transponders hidden under the seat so they won’t get charged for tolls.

This commercial truck's tag is low and bent under the edge of the bumper to avoid toll cameras.
This commercial truck’s tag is low and bent under the edge of the bumper to avoid toll cameras.
This truck driver used an illegal tinted glass and grease to disfigure the end zeros to appear as eights.
This truck driver used an illegal tinted glass and grease to disfigure the end zeros to appear as eights.
A simple piece of paper is just as effective but much less dangerous than other stunts.
A simple piece of paper is just as effective but much less dangerous than other stunts.

The dare devils may surprise with with their stunts but according to Sgt. Louis Tejera truck drivers’ “theft” are on a bigger scale. “So imagine if you have hundreds of truck drivers doing this, how much of a theft is going on, millions of dollars,” said Sgt. Tejera.

“Don’t do it, we’re out there and we’re looking for you” he told NBC Miami.

In South Florida, the reckless drivers who fail to pay tolls can receive tickets for anywhere from $135-$150, according to The Blaze. And because they’re moving violations, each occurrence can add points to your license and make the cost of your insurance increase.

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