Out-of-State Toll Evaders Frustrate State Officials 

Out-of-state drivers owe millions in unpaid highway tolls, late fees and fines, frustrating state authorities who remain powerless in freezing vehicle registrations or license renewals for out-of-state motorists who don’t pay outstanding tolls or fines, Pew Trusts reports. In Maryland, for instance, drivers from other states owed the state nearly $11 million in unpaid tolls and fines, causing state authorities to consider changing laws to promote stricter enforcement measures. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island all operate under a “reciprocity agreement” which stipulates that if a driver flouts a toll in any of those states, their home state will go after them — holding up re-registrations and license renewals — until the debt is paid.

In Maryland and New Jersey, where toll evasion is particularly high, officials are divided over the best way to enforce payment. While some advocate the development of reciprocity agreements, others want to imitate practices in states like Georgia, which relies on private collection firms to chase down the overdue tolls and associated extra assessments. “Many states are looking at multiple layers of attack here,” said Mark Muriello, a spokesperson for the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association.