'Enough is Enough': Carlucci Pledges Crack-Down on Toll Evaders

With the Tappan Zee Bridge toll plaza looming in the background, Senator David Carlucci Wednesday pledged to come down hard on New York toll evaders across the state's bridges, tunnels and roadways.

Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) proposed a new campaign that would squeeze toll hoppers with a four-pronged attack: bolstered charges, higher fines, less bureaucracy and a crack-down on plate flippers.

"For far too long, those of us who do follow the law have been shouldering the burden, picking the tab for those who skirt the system," Carlucci said. "Enough is enough—it's time we recoup the money that is owed so that law-abiding citizens do not share this burden alone."

Carlucci's package—pieced together with the help of New York State Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick), and other politicos—aims to hit evaders with the heightened charge "theft of transportation services."

"This will ensure that any individual who accrues more than $1,000 in unpaid tolls would face felony charges, similar to grand larceny," Carlucci said.

Other provisions include stripping away the "burdensome and chaotic process" that comes with suspending evaders' registrations; target devices that hide license plates; and doubling the fines for evasion.