Should the ETC card in the car be removed when not in use?

[MadisonLee]

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 inserting the ETC card 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. Simply insert the card when needed. ETC is an 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, bridges or tunnels with toll policies, 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 windshield-mounted electronic tag and the microwave antenna in the toll station's ETC lane, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with banks in the background. This allows vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, all 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 through toll stations without stopping. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. 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's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC." It also sets a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the 13th Five-Year Plan. 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 use for trucks and explore deeper integration of the ETC system with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for car owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC.