- NYC implemented congestion charges, imposing tolls on drivers entering peak traffic areas daily.
- Officials estimate $500M revenue annually, but toll evasion and ghost cars could reduce earnings.
- Social media users share tips and tricks to avoid fees using shortcuts and concealing devices.
New York City has recently become the first city in the US to impose congestion charges on drivers entering its busiest areas, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) collecting a $15 toll from most drivers.
Things haven’t been going as smoothly as authorities may have hoped, though, with some drivers already thinking up creative (and illegal) ways of toll dodging. In fact, some, eager to help others avoid paying their share of the congestion charge, have taken to social media to influence as many as possible.
On TikTok, several videos have been shared with drivers showcasing their tricks for avoiding the automated detection cameras, while a Reddit thread has also revealed its own suggestions.
From Bird Poop To James Bond-Style Devices
According to a report from the New York Times, there are many ways that NYC drivers have been getting around paying fines for dodging the tolls, ranging from surprisingly low-tech yet effective methods to more sophisticated devices.
See: NYC Will Charge You $15 To Enter Part Of Manhattan, A First For US City
Drivers smear sprays, affix reflective screens, or even scrape off specific letters and numbers on their plates. Some use fake paper tags or slap tape and stickers over them. The creativity extends online: TikTok users share tips for dodging toll cameras – like a sly route through a parking garage between 60th and 61st Streets. Redditors on the “Unethical Life Pro Tips” subreddit chime in with ideas, too, recommending everything from smearing plates with bird feces to purchasing devices that block plates with the press of a button.
Cracking Down On Ghost Cars
With the expected revenue from the project of some $500 million per year, the stakes are high. But officials are concerned about the losses incurred with the rise of so-called “ghost cars”, vehicles untraceable by cameras and toll readers due to altered or fake plates. Naturally, the authorities aren’t taking this lying down.
Over the past three years, more than 20,000 ghost cars have been seized, with over 7,500 vehicles impounded just this year by the New York Police Department and the Sanitation Department. Michael Kemper, the M.T.A.’s chief security officer, reported that 700 arrests have been made in toll-evasion crackdowns in 2024.
But the stakes go beyond lost revenue. Law enforcement officials warn that ghost cars are frequently tied to violent crimes, including shootings and robberies. By removing these vehicles from the streets, the city isn’t just protecting its budget, but is also tackling a very serious public safety issue.
As New York City doubles down on congestion pricing to alleviate traffic and generate transit funding, the ongoing battle against toll evaders highlights the lengths some will go to cheat the system. Officials, though, are determined to get their message across: no one gets a free ride.
