Is it okay to sleep overnight on the highway with ETC and exceed the time limit?
2 Answers
Sleeping overnight on the highway with ETC and exceeding the time limit has no impact. However, it is important to note that when resting at a highway service area, you should keep the service area invoice or payment receipt. In such special circumstances or if there are any transactions at the service area, you can present the receipt to the highway staff when preparing to exit the highway and explain the situation. After understanding and verifying the situation, the staff will usually let you pass without charging any overtime fees. The ETC installation process is as follows: Upon receiving the device, first check if the ETC card and the electronic tag (OBU) are damaged. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU, and the red light will briefly turn on. The OLED screen will display "Tag Invalid, Please Insert Card," indicating that the device is functioning normally. Clean the front windshield, ensuring the surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then, peel off the protective film on the back of the OBU and stick it to the installation position. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front facing the driver and the back facing the windshield, ensuring the chip is inserted into the OBU device. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon solution, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, thereby minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by reducing the frequency of vehicle starts and stops, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
Having driven long distances on highways for many years, I often spend the night resting at service areas. Using an ETC card for highway entry and exit is very convenient, and there are usually no issues with extended stays during breaks. Service areas are free parking zones and are not linked to the ETC toll system, so you won’t incur extra charges or fines for sleeping too long. I frequently stop for a few hours during night drives to recharge, and I’ve never encountered any ETC-related problems. The key is to choose large service areas, which have surveillance and lighting, making them safer and more reliable. By the way, avoiding fatigued driving is more important than worrying about time limits—sleeping longer is actually a good way to prevent accidents. I recommend bringing an eye mask and pillow to improve sleep quality.
