Requires notice to E-ZPass users before DMV reporting, and set rules and regulations for transponder failures, requires outreach and free replacements, and allow mitigation or forgiveness of tolls and penalties from equipment failures.

Rhode Island E-ZPass Protection Bill

This bill creates new protections for Rhode Island drivers who use E-ZPass transponders to pay tolls. Under current rules, drivers can face fines and have their issues reported to the DMV (the state motor vehicle agency) if their E-ZPass account has problems. This bill would require that drivers receive a clear warning notice before any report is made to the DMV, giving them a chance to resolve the issue first. It also establishes specific rules for how the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority must handle situations where a transponder — the small device in your car that pays tolls automatically — malfunctions or stops working properly.

A key part of the bill deals with equipment failures that are outside the driver's control. If a transponder breaks down or fails to read correctly, drivers would be entitled to free replacement transponders and would not be automatically penalized. The bill also requires the Authority to actively reach out to affected drivers rather than waiting for drivers to discover problems on their own. Additionally, it gives the Authority the ability to reduce, waive, or forgive tolls and penalties that resulted from equipment failures rather than driver negligence.

This bill would primarily affect the many Rhode Island commuters and travelers who rely on E-ZPass for paying tolls on bridges and highways managed by the Turnpike and Bridge Authority. It aims to ensure that drivers are not unfairly punished for technical problems they did not cause, while still holding the toll system accountable for maintaining working equipment and communicating clearly with users.