MJP –
On September 1, a new law was enacted to crack down on illegal car customizations, specifically targeting ghost license plates. Violators of this rule now face an instant $200 fine.
The new law, effective as of September 1, aims to eliminate the use of ghost plates, which are modified car license plates designed to evade automated traffic cameras.
Ghost plate
A ghost plate is a license plate that has been altered in such a way that makes it difficult for enforcement systems to read. These modifications can evade detection by automated traffic cameras, leading to fare evasion and other illegal activities.
The new law bans several types of modifications to license plates, including:
- Opaque coatings
- Extra-glossy films
- Digital devices that obscure or distort the plate’s characters
- Any other alteration that makes it difficult for enforcement systems to read
Starting September 1, the sale and use of these license plate modifications have been outlawed throughout New York.
Drivers who are caught using these fare-evading ghost plates will be subject to an automatic $200 penalty. This fine is imposed instantly upon detection, ensuring swift enforcement of the new regulations.
By implementing this new law, authorities aim to enhance road safety and ensure that all drivers adhere to legal standards for license plates.
“You will get caught,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared during a recent press conference alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Cracking Down on Toll Evaders
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“Gone are the days we’re gonna tolerate people going through here with an attitude that, ‘I’ll take my chances because I’ll never get caught,’” Hochul emphasized, signaling a new era of strict enforcement.
Drivers have been exploiting plate-hiding customizations to dodge toll payments, a practice that is now under intense scrutiny.
The Cost of Deception
These plate-modifying tools range from $5 to $500, according to Buffalo-based ABC affiliate WKBW. However, the cost to taxpayers is far more significant as toll evaders shift the burden onto them.
Stricter Rules and Their Impact
The introduction of new rules banning the sale of license plate-covering devices is part of a broader initiative to ensure toll compliance across the state. This move aims to recoup lost revenue and maintain fair use of public infrastructure.
Enforcement in Action
Previously, New York City officials had announced the confiscation of dozens of cars that repeatedly bypassed tolls using reflective gear or without license plates.
Speaking in front of a lineup of seized Cadillacs, Mercedes-Benz, and Land Rovers, city-wide officers urged drivers to comply with toll payments.
