FRAUDscoop

ISSUE: State cracking down on toll runners.

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprises, which operates most of the state’s toll roads, needs to come up with a better, more common-sense way of nailing alleged SunPass cheats.

Or at least a fairer way. What they are doing now fails the fairness test badly, and is way too punitive.

A statewide crackdown on toll runners has caused some big fines for SunPass users, and others have lost their driver’s licenses. One Tampa resident, according to a South Florida Sun-Sentinel story, said his transponder failed at the Cypress Creek toll plaza in January, and four months later he found out he was going to have his license suspended unless he paid more than $100 in fines.

All because his transponder didn’t work properly on a $1 toll.

Some of this can be corrected by proper maintenance, like replacing a dead transponder battery or making sure the transponder is on your windshield correctly.

But the state needs to remember this: They have your credit card number, and they are charging SunPass customers ahead of time for tolls that haven’t been used. If somehow your transponder fails, or if there is some malfunction at the toll booth, can’t SunPass just add the cost on to your credit card?

Ah, but the state loves going after toll cheats. There are even cameras set up to nab violators, which is pretty hypocritical since legislators for years have refused to use cameras to catch real traffic hazards, like red-light runners.

Fact is, most SunPass users are not trying to cheat the system. They’ve already paid in advance for the privilege of using the transponder.

Turnpike officials say they are trying to be more customer-friendly, contacting violators over the phone and fixing problems before they get to court. That’s a good effort that needs to continue.

If someone is a habitual, intentional Turnpike cheat, then go after them. Otherwise, crack down on the real reckless folks on our roads.

BOTTOM LINE: Crackdown is too punitive,

unfair.