Ghost Cars Put NYC’s Toll Plan at Risk — New Laws Aim to Stop Them

NYC battles unseen automobiles: Before toll cameras activate, ghost cars disappear. One of New York City’s main initiatives to minimize pollution and traffic is congestion pricing. Ghost automobiles, however, provide a unique difficulty in evaluating the system before it even launches.

These cars are almost impossible to charge since they evade detection even as toll cameras attempt to take pictures of their license plates. Due to the upcoming new technology, New York City is now entering a new market where these guys are less willing to commit.

The strategies employed with ghost automobiles

This has nothing to do with driver error or broken cameras. Intentional strategies are employed by ghost automobiles to conceal their tags, such as tinted covers, mechanical devices, and phony license plates. Others utilize expired license plates or even trade them in for other cars.

Officials believe more vehicles are turning to various ways to avoid paying as the congestion pricing system becomes more realistic. Concerns are being raised over fairness and lost earnings, particularly for those who abide by the rules.

In response, the city formed a task team that included the Department of Sanitation and the NYPD. Locating and removing these illicit automobiles from the streets is their aim.

If phantom cars keep sliding by, officials warn, the program may collapse, endangering both public faith and system funding. The pressure is on at a time when New York is working to cut emissions and traffic.

NYC plans to stop street-based ghost cars

A new strategy to crack down on drivers who conceal their license plates was unveiled by city officials on Tuesday. These “ghost cars” frequently use easy techniques like plastic covers, filthy license plates, or even deliberate damage that prevents cameras from reading their numbers.

The city will now add more prohibited plate obstructions to its list, according to announcements made by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Anything, even mud, that conceals a plate will be deemed a violation.

According to Rodriguez, “drivers who obscure their license plate put everyone at risk and believe they are above the law.” The new fines begin at $50, but according to state regulations, they can go up to $500.

More than 73,000 unregistered and ghost cars have been removed from the road since Mayor Eric Adams assumed office. According to local officials, the issue isn’t going away, though. On February 6, a public hearing will be held to hear opinions on the stricter enforcement.

There are various designs for these vehicles

Commissioner Tisch clarified that some phantom automobiles don’t have license plates at all, so they’re not merely hiding them. Others use plates from completely other cars or phony ones.

When police are able to stop these vehicles, they occasionally discover more significant problems, such as drivers with guns, escaping collisions, or being involved in trafficking and crimes.

According to the city, it is now tracking these vehicles and apprehending repeat offenders with the help of new techniques.

Additionally, the DMV is taking action at the state level. A new point system that targets irresponsible drivers was proposed in 2023 and would be implemented in February 2026.

In other areas, New York acts

The new regulations would impose harsher punishments for risky behavior. An 11-point punishment for a DWI, for instance, is sufficient to result in a suspension. Speeding in construction or school zones will now earn you eight points. Where there is a high risk to others, the strongest sanctions are applied.

The DMV is also seeking to increase the amount of time that infractions can result in a license suspension. At the moment, accruing 11 points in 18 months could result in the suspension of your license.

The proposed regulation would extend that period to 24 months, which would make it more difficult for repeat offenders to evade the system.

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