BALTIMORE, MD (March 12, 2008) – Last week, while participating in a truck inspection initiative near the Bay Bridge (US 50/301), Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police stopped and cited a commercial vehicle driver who was driving a tractor trailer with a suspended registration because of his employer’s failure to pay more than $110,000 in tolls and other fees.
The vehicle was operated by Ronnie Eugene Jones of Baltimore and is owned by Linthicum resident Ellwood Trapp, Jr. Mr. Trapp, who owns the company TT Trucking, is considered a chronic toll violator - a registered vehicle owner who has more than three Maryland toll violations and has accrued more than $1,000 in tolls and fees.
“With more than $3.4 million owed by chronic toll violators, it is imperative that we identify our most serious offenders and keep them from continuing this activity,” said Authority Executive Secretary Ronald L. Freeland. “Our enforcement efforts are helping to put a stop to ‘free rides’ at our facilities.”
An MDTA Police officer cited Mr. Jones for driving a vehicle with a suspended registration. The officer is part of a Commercial Vehicle Safety Aggressive Driving Unit, which uses the same License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology as the MDTA Police’s Electronic Toll Enforcement Unit – the team that enforces transportation law and assists MDTA operations in recovering financial loses incurred by deliberate toll evasion.
LPR technology uses character recognition software to detect license plates of chronic toll violators. When the system recognizes a license plate that is suspended for toll non-payment, the officer receives an audible signal and takes action.
“This technology has been a benefit on both the toll-evasion and criminal-enforcement fronts,” said MDTA Police Chief Marcus L. Brown. “With the help of this new technology, we’ll continue to enhance enforcement at toll facilities throughout the State.”
Since the inception of the Electronic Toll Enforcement Unit last spring, officers have stopped 32 chronic toll violators owing more than $325,000 in outstanding tolls and fees collectively. The LPR also accesses criminal information from the National Crime Information Center. The unit’s officers have made arrests for three felony thefts, six misdemeanor thefts, three drug possessions and five outstanding warrants.
E-ZPass Violation Facts: E-ZPass transactions make up more than 54% of transactions Authority-wide. On average, more than 3,000 unpaid toll transactions occur each day. More than half occur at the Fort McHenry Tunnel. There are nearly 1,500 chronic violation accounts in Maryland: 38 owing more than $10,000; the average owing $2,500. Approximately $5 million in toll violations is owed to the Authority annually. More than 80% is being recovered. Since 2005, MDTA has requested Maryland MVA suspend over 1,500 vehicle registrations.
The Maryland Transportation Authority is an independent State agency that finances, owns and operates the State’s seven toll facilities. The Authority’s eight Members, appointed by the Governor with consent of the State Senate, serve as the agency’s policy-setting and governing body. Maryland's Secretary of Transportation serves as Authority Chairman. The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention funded this project under grant number
BYRN-2003-1300. All points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of any State or Federal agency. Contact:
Kelly Melhem or
Teri Moss
410-537-1017 |
