Sergeant Norman Krause calls out a toll violator to waiting troopers.

Recently, the Florida Highway Patrol joined with the Florida Turnpike Enterprise in a new Toll Abuse No Excuse enforcement campaign that was rolled out in South Florida and is making its way north in the coming weeks. If a driver is stopped for not paying a toll or running the Sunpass lane, the fine is on average $100 depending on the county where the citation was issued. This campaign was developed in response to a recent increase in toll violations that have resulted in an increase in lost revenue of $11 million in 2004 to $17 million in 2005. So far in 2006, violations have resulted in lost revenues of over $20 million. The campaign includes stepped up enforcement waves by state troopers and officers from the Department of Transportation's office of Motor Carrier Compliance. Radio ads and electronic message boards set up along the highway will also be used to remind motorists to pay their tolls. It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that they proceed through the correct toll lane and all Sunpasses are properly placed in the vehicle. It is not recommended that drivers attempt to hold the Sunpass up while driving through the lane.

There are plans in the works that may include a change in the way unpaid tolls are collected and an increase in fines.

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