Should the ETC card be removed?
2 Answers
The ETC card 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 for normal operation; 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, 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 removing the card disables the ETC function. ETC is a non-stop electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is specifically designed for toll roads and is commonly used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban road sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principles: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's windshield-mounted electronic tag and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, coupled with computer network technology for backend bank settlements, vehicles can pass toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. This operates 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 minimizing stops at toll stations. Cost-saving: Lowers vehicle wear and tear, reduces fuel consumption, and offers a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic flow by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster and more advanced. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Integrated Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the adoption rate of ETC in vehicles," with a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." Future possibilities: Beyond improving ETC installation convenience and passenger vehicle usage rates, future efforts will promote ETC adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and smart transportation developments, offering comprehensive travel services to drivers. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.
As a young driver who frequently uses the car, I don't think it's necessary to remove the ETC card regularly. The device is designed for convenience, automatically sensing toll payments when inserted in the car, eliminating the hassle of stopping each time. Frequent insertion and removal may damage the card slot or affect battery life, as many ETC devices rely on solar charging. Of course, if you plan to leave the car unused for an extended period, such as parking it for several weeks, removing the card is a wise precaution to prevent theft. Overall, for daily use, it's best to leave it untouched—the whole point of ETC is to simplify travel, so why complicate things? Keep this in mind, and life will be much easier.
