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

[Ruth]

It can be removed, but the ETC device will not function without it. According to the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Rapid Passage Systems," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device to work 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 for you. When the ETC card is inserted into the OBU device, a prompt sound will indicate 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 will 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 specialized road toll method used for toll roads, commonly seen on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban road sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Billing Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's onboard electronic tag (installed on the windshield) and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with banks, enabling vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. This is based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, intercity transportation smart cards will be widely adopted in key urban clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." The plan also set a target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage.