Politics & Government
Driver Racks Up More than $3,000 In 520 Toll Fines
Some motorists are fighting the fines in a new toll court – but don't expect much leniency.
*Editor's note: This story is about a Kirkland resident, but we want to know if the 520 tolls have changed the habits of Renton drivers. Have you changed your route to work as a result of the tolls, or been hit with a ticket? Please log and comment below!
A Kirkland driver says confusion between her and her son over who was paying the electronic toll bills on the state Route 520 bridge led to fines of more than $3,000 for 65 crossings.
According to a report in The Seattle Times, the 64-year-old went to a new state toll court to fight the bill, but ended up paying the fines anyway.
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She admitted to making mistakes, but told the Times: "It's a new system, and I think we [institutions] sometimes get simple-minded when we design systems in the beginning. … I don't think it's people-friendly."
The new toll courts allow drivers to challenge their bills. But, the Times reports:
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By law, toll-court judges cannot reduce or dismiss a motorist's penalty, unless they rule that a toll or a fine was charged incorrectly. This makes toll court less flexible than municipal courts, where folks with a compelling story might sway a magistrate.
"We want to collect the tolls," says Craig Stone, toll director for the state Department of Transportation. "We have enforcement, to be fair to the people who pay the tolls."
What do you think of the payment system for electronic tolling on 520? Does it work for you? Have you dealt with fines or been to toll court? Let us know what you think in the comments.
