Do I need to remove the card when the in-vehicle ETC is not in use?

[BarrettLee]

It can be unplugged, but the ETC device will not work without the card. According to the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Fast Pass Systems," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device to function properly; otherwise, user information cannot be read. If the card is removed, you can use the manual lane and have the staff swipe the card. When the ETC card is inserted into the OBU device, there will be a prompt sound, indicating that the device is activated. Without the card, the device remains in a dormant state and cannot recognize vehicle information at toll stations, so you need to reinsert the card when you need to use it. ETC is the Electronic Toll Collection system, also known as the Automatic Road Toll System. It is a road toll method specifically designed for toll roads, commonly found on highways, bridges or tunnels with toll policies, and some sections of urban centers to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave-specific short-range communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the system uses computer networking technology to settle accounts with the bank, achieving the goal of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay road and bridge fees. All of this is based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon, vehicles pass toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and lowers wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times or more, making traditional ETC updates faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key urban clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also set a clear target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation development directions, providing car owners with comprehensive travel services. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications.