What are the common ETC malfunctions?
2 Answers
ETC malfunctions include: 1. Poor contact of the ETC card, which can be resolved by reinserting it; 2. Failure to read due to excessive speed—vehicle speed should be below 20 km/h when passing through ETC lanes; 3. OBU device malfunction or internal battery failure causing inability to read the ETC card. The benefits of ETC include allowing vehicles to pass through at high speeds, thereby improving highway capacity; electronic toll collection reduces management costs and enhances vehicle operational efficiency; it also lowers noise levels and exhaust emissions at toll booths while significantly increasing traffic throughput.
I often drive using ETC, and encountering malfunctions is really frustrating. Common issues include the tag's battery running out causing the indicator light to go off, improper placement on the windshield or dirt blocking the signal antenna leading to recognition failure, insufficient account balance or expiration resulting in payment failure, and old devices with worn-out hardware causing poor contact and malfunction. Last time, I was stuck at the highway toll station for quite a while because the system suddenly showed an 'invalid tag' message, forcing me to wait in line for manual processing, wasting half an hour and nearly causing a rear-end collision. Long-term exposure to high temperatures can also accelerate aging and circuit damage in the device. Now, I regularly clean the windshield, check the tag for looseness every six months, and test if the device responds properly to avoid these minor hassles in advance. After all, ETC malfunctions not only affect travel smoothness but can also pose safety hazards, such as being forced to make an emergency stop. It's advisable to contact a service point promptly if any issues arise, update the device, and ensure hassle-free passage.
