Is the ETC device usually not displaying anything?
2 Answers
ETC devices usually do not display anything when not in use, and the screen remains off. ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) is an automatic toll collection system used on highways or bridges. It is a service function of intelligent transportation systems, consisting of an automatic vehicle identification system, a central management system, and auxiliary facilities. The role of ETC is to enable vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. This is achieved 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 the toll station, using computer networking technology for backend settlement processing with banks.
My ETC device is a small box stuck on the windshield, usually with only a green LED light constantly on, indicating it's working properly without any digital display or complex information. It's quite low-key while driving, flashing a blue light and beeping briefly when the toll is successfully deducted. If there's no display at all, it might be due to a dead battery or device malfunction. Once, when the light went out, I solved it by replacing the coin cell battery myself. Older models are all like this—simple and energy-efficient in design, without obstructing the driving view. Occasionally, it can be embarrassing if it fails at the highway entrance, requiring you to pull over to fix it, so it's recommended to quickly check if the light is on after starting the car each month. The device typically lasts three to five years, and upgrading to a newer model might come with a small screen, though most still rely on indicator lights. Anyway, it saves time with automatic toll deduction without affecting the joy of daily driving.
