What are the pros and cons of ETC?
3 Answers
Regarding the pros and cons of ETC, they are as follows: 1. Benefits: (1) You can use dedicated lanes at toll stations without preparing change or getting out of the car to take a ticket, saving time. (2) There is a certain discount on toll fees, reducing travel costs. 2. Drawbacks: (1) To apply for ETC, you must go to a bank or a partnered institution and provide valid information such as ID documents. Many banks require applying for a credit card together, which poses certain risks to information security. (2) ETC vehicles may also encounter the issue of being 'tagged' by others. Some drivers, to evade highway tolls, target vehicles equipped with ETC and follow closely behind them to pass through toll gates. This behavior is very dangerous, as it may lead to rear-end collisions. Additionally, vehicles involved in such 'tagging' may be blacklisted.
I've been driving on highways for over a decade, and ETC has indeed brought many benefits, the most obvious being convenience and speed. In the past, you always had to queue up at toll stations to pay with cash or scan QR codes. Now, with an ETC device installed, you only need to slow down when passing through the gate, saving a lot of time, especially during peak hours in the morning and evening, avoiding long queues. Additionally, many road sections offer exclusive discounts, such as holiday discounts, which can add up to significant savings on toll fees over a year. It also reduces exhaust emissions from idling vehicles, benefiting the environment. However, it does have drawbacks. Installing the device requires some initial cost, and sometimes the device may malfunction, such as battery depletion or signal failure, leading to automatic payment failures and even requiring manual payment, which can disrupt your trip. I think drivers should regularly check the device's battery and monitor their account balance to minimize such issues. Overall, it's suitable for drivers who frequently travel long distances.
From personal driving experience, the biggest advantage of ETC is improving traffic efficiency by eliminating the frustration of queuing at toll booths. Time is money, especially on urban perimeter roads where it reduces congestion and accident risks. Its environmental benefits are also commendable—reduced idling means less exhaust emissions and noise pollution, benefiting society as a whole. However, the device itself has drawbacks: installation costs several hundred yuan, malfunctioning equipment or abnormal account deductions can be troublesome to resolve, and there's potential privacy data leakage like driving records being collected. Beginners should consider whether they frequently use highways before installing to avoid unnecessary burdens for occasional trips. While ETC is indeed a helpful tool, don't assume it's a panacea.
