Will I be thrown in jail?

[Disneyadore]

Last year we got on the highway lane that was only for “Sun Pass “ holders.
Above the lane were big signs that stated fines will be enforced. We rally got the vibes and I could hear the sirens from the policy calling us over and asking:” what are you doing” .
There was no escape ,the whole lane was closed for other vehicles so we could not just go to the lane to the right of us. It went on for miles and miles.
I fully expected a fine after we got home. The months went by but nothing.
As our next trip is slowly nearing I was concerned to get “access denied or go to jail right now” after we landed on American soil, so I contacted Hertz. I got as an answer all the cars have a transponder and the toll is automatically withdrawn from your CC.
I can’t find the bill anymore but are there DISsers that have the same experience or should I prepare myself for jail time?

 

[Tozzie]

Last year we got on the highway lane that was only for “Sun Pass “ holders.
Above the lane were big signs that stated fines will be enforced. We rally got the vibes and I could hear the sirens from the policy calling us over and asking:” what are you doing” .
There was no escape ,the whole lane was closed for other vehicles so we could not just go to the lane to the right of us. It went on for miles and miles.
I fully expected a fine after we got home. The months went by but nothing.
As our next trip is slowly nearing I was concerned to get “access denied or go to jail right now” after we landed on American soil, so I contacted Hertz. I got as an answer all the cars have a transponder and the toll is automatically withdrawn from your CC.
I can’t find the bill anymore but are there DISsers that have the same experience or should I prepare myself for jail time?

I don't know if you are serious or not but if you are the answer is no, the cameras at toll plazas such as the SunPass one generally take pictures of the license plate not the drive and it would be enforced similarly to how a red light camera enforcement works, the camera takes pictures of your license plate and then you are sent a bill in the mail. I wouldn't worry if I were you.

 

[Disneyadore]

I don't know if you are serious or not but if you are the answer is no, the cameras at toll plazas such as the SunPass one generally take pictures of the license plate not the drive and it would be enforced similarly to how a red light camera enforcement works, the camera takes pictures of your license plate and then you are sent a bill in the mail. I wouldn't worry if I were you.

Well I'm kind of worried.
I'm not from the States and security check is very strict at the airport. (witch we approve for 100%)
I have no idea how the enforce fines and I guess they will not send bill's all over the globe.
The ESTA form ask if you have committed a crime and if I fill in "perhaps" I'm surely in trouble.
I really don't want any kind trouble.
The next time I will ask at Hertz and will make sure the transponder works.

 

[NHdisneylover]

The way it was explained to us when renting in Florida last moth is that all the rental cars do not really have transponders I(but that is what the yorigianlly said--it is easier to tell customers it has a transponder than to explain the real system) but that Florida just sends a bill for toll only (no violation) for all of the rental cars that go through to the rental car company (who then charges your credit card for it) and we should treat it as having a transponder but it does not work in lanes where you have the option of toll or paying (then you have to pay). We had two different rental car companies (Budget and Avis) and this is what we got told both times as well as by the toll worker at the little exit we went through taht did not have an easy pass only lane (he felt terrible we had to pay that toll and explained the whole system--I think it was a slow day and he wanted to talk, we did not mind paying the 50 cets at all).

I think you have nothing to worry about at all. I truly, truly do. Even IF you owe a fine (which I am pretty much positive you do not) this would not land you in jail or deny you a visit--you would jsut be told to pay up.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Well I'm kind of worried.
I'm not from the States and security check is very strict at the airport. (witch we approve for 100%)
I have no idea how the enforce fines and I guess they will not send bill's all over the globe.
The ESTA form ask if you have committed a crime and if I fill in "perhaps" I'm surely in trouble.
I really don't want any kind trouble.
The next time I will ask at Hertz and will make sure the transponder works.

Florida Satute 318.14 says that failure to pay a toll is a 'non-criminal offense' with a maximum fine of $500. You should not be required to report this if they ask if you committed a crime.

If you really feel that bad about it simply follow these steps from the Sunpass web site:

If you are not a SunPass, E-PASS, or LEEWAY Account Holder and find yourself in an unattended, dedicated SunPass lane, please continue through the toll plaza. Do not stop and back up, as it is unsafe. However, payment for the toll is still required.

Please mail missed toll payments (check and money orders only, indicating vehicle plate information, date, time and location of toll plaza or mile marker) to FDOT Turnpike Enterprise, PO Box 310, Ocoee, FL 34761-0310. DO NOT SEND CASH. Please be sure to retain a copy of your cancelled check/money order in the event a SunPass toll violation is generated. This may assist in closing the document.

 

[Disneyadore]

The way it was explained to us when renting in Florida last moth is that all the rental cars do not really have transponders I(but that is what the yorigianlly said--it is easier to tell customers it has a transponder than to explain the real system) but that Florida just sends a bill for toll only (no violation) for all of the rental cars that go through to the rental car company (who then charges your credit card for it) and we should treat it as having a transponder but it does not work in lanes where you have the option of toll or paying (then you have to pay). We had two different rental car companies (Budget and Avis) and this is what we got told both times as well as by the toll worker at the little exit we went through taht did not have an easy pass only lane (he felt terrible we had to pay that toll and explained the whole system--I think it was a slow day and he wanted to talk, we did not mind paying the 50 cets at all).

I think you have nothing to worry about at all. I truly, truly do. Even IF you owe a fine (which I am pretty much positive you do not) this would not land you in jail or deny you a visit--you would jsut be told to pay up.

Thank you.
I just snooped again on the Hertz page and found this.


PlatePass®

Hertz offers PlatePass® for toll roads!!!



Avoid slow toll lanes and traffic getting in your way when you use PlatePass®. PlatePass® is currently available in the 12 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States, Florida, Colorado, Texas and Northern California Bay area. Specific locations are listed below.



In the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, PlatePass® works with transponders which are small devices that affix to the windshield below the rearview mirror. This device allows you to use the EZ Pass and I Pass lanes.



All of our vehicles in Florida, Colorado, Texas, the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California are PlatePass® enabled. There is no need to sign up or reserve anything. If you would like to use the cashless toll lanes all you have to do is drive through. In this area, your rental car license plate acts as the transponder.



Availability



PlatePass® automated tolling system is available in the following states. PlatePass.com also has a list of participating toll roads.



E-ZPass I Pass

EZ Tag

Toll Tag

TxTag


Sun Pass

E-Pass
Express Toll

FASTRAK
New Jersey Indiana Texas Florida Colorado N. California Bay Area
New York Illinois
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Massachusetts
Maine
Maryland
New Hampshire
Virginia
West Virginia



Cost

*
Fee: Hertz customers will pay a service fee of $2.50 per rental day, including any days when customers do not use PlatePass®, plus the posted cash toll rate for any incurred tolls. The maximum service charge (excluding tolls) is $10.00 per week. After the rental car is returned, your credit card will be charged separately for the posted cash toll rate for the tolls used (as opposed to any discounted electronic toll rate) and the applicable service fee. Charges will appear on your credit card by PlatePass®. You will receive an itemized listing of all tolls and charges by mail.

 

[seashoreCM]

Last year we got on the highway lane that was only for “Sun Pass “ holders.

There was no escape ,the whole lane was closed for other vehicles so we could not just go to the lane to the right of us. It went on for miles and miles.

Which expressway was this?

I can't believe that they would go through the complexity to build the Sun Pass only lanes for miles and miles with a parallel road for cash toll payers also running those same miles and miles as opposed to a normal "exit ramp" for cash toll payers just a few hundred yards from the toll plaza.

In an earlier lifetime I have been stuck on "express lanes" ths took me way past my desired exit. So I recommend always using the rightmost lane set (or local lanes) if you are unfamiliar with an area.

 

[Disneyadore]

Which expressway was this?

I can't believe that they would go through the complexity to build the Sun Pass only lanes for miles and miles with a parallel road for cash toll payers also running those same miles and miles as opposed to a normal "exit ramp" for cash toll payers just a few hundred yards from the toll plaza.

In an earlier lifetime I have been stuck on "express lanes" ths took me way past my desired exit. So I recommend always using the rightmost lane set (or local lanes) if you are unfamiliar with an area.

It was leaving Miami. I really have no idea what road it was. We hat two GPS systems on board, Tom Tom and the Hertz Neverlost ,and we just follow there instructions like slaves.

There were soft orange road markers on the right of us and we did not see any exit. We never saw a booth for toll payers. The lane we drove on was almost empty but the lanes to the right of us were stocked with traffic jams.
It was the firs time we visited Miami so we are really unfamiliar with any road there. I have downloaded the list of Sun Pass roads so next time we will know if trouble is ahead.