Can non-ETC vehicles use ETC lanes during toll-free periods?
3 Answers
During toll-free periods on highways, regular vehicles without ETC can still enter and exit through ETC lanes. How ETC works: Through dedicated short-range communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at toll stations, the system uses computer networking technology to perform backend settlement processing with banks. This allows vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping while automatically paying the required fees. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, thereby decreasing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent vehicle acceleration and braking, lowering mechanical wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC systems more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment systems, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
As frequent drivers who often travel back to our hometowns know well, during toll-free periods on highways, vehicles without ETC can basically use the ETC lanes. This is because the traffic volume during holidays is too high, and toll stations usually keep the barriers raised throughout, allowing free passage. For example, last Labor Day, I drove my van without ETC and simply followed the car in front straight through the ETC lane. However, at some stations, the barriers might occasionally come down, requiring waiting for staff to manually lift them. If this happens during peak hours, it could block the traffic behind. So, to be on the safe side, it’s better to observe the toll station situation half an hour in advance before deciding which lane to take. After all, the manual lanes are also quite fast during toll-free periods, and there’s no need to risk squeezing into the ETC lane and causing unnecessary trouble.
As a veteran long-haul truck driver, I recommend vehicles without ETC to stick to the manual lanes. Although ETC lanes often keep the barrier raised during free periods, some toll stations have overly sensitive equipment. If a non-ETC vehicle passes through and fails to be detected, the barrier might suddenly drop. Last week, a new driver in our fleet encountered this situation - the barrier slammed onto the bumper and nearly caused a rear-end collision. Although the toll station eventually let them pass, the accident handling delayed them for three hours. Rather than taking risks, it's better to leave ETC lanes for vehicles that truly need them - it saves trouble for everyone.
