What are the reasons why ETC cannot be used?
2 Answers
ETC cannot be used due to the following reasons: 1. Insufficient battery power of the ETC device causing it to fail to start; 2. The ETC electronic tag is invalid; 3. The vehicle's speed is too fast when passing through the ETC lane, making it impossible for the system to read the information; 4. Failure to deduct fees due to reasons such as ETC lane reading failure or insufficient balance on the ETC card; 5. Malfunction of the OBU (On-Board Unit) device, which can generally be resolved by reactivating it. ETC is an Electronic Toll Collection system, also known as an Automatic Road Payment System. It is a road toll method specifically designed for toll roads, commonly seen on highways, bridges or tunnels with toll policies, and certain sections of urban areas to alleviate traffic congestion.
I drive frequently and have experienced ETC failures several times. The most common issue seems to be device-related, such as a dead battery in the ETC card or card damage. I've tried checking it myself: first, see if the OBU box has a green light on. If it's red or completely unresponsive, it's time to consider replacing the card. Installation problems can also interfere, like metal film on the windshield disrupting the signal—I had this issue before and had to remove the film to fix it. Account status is crucial too; insufficient balance or a bank freeze can lead to payment rejection, which can be checked via the app. Occasionally, toll station equipment malfunctions can cause read failures, so I switch to cash lanes in those cases. I recommend regular maintenance, like cleaning the card surface every six months and testing it before hitting the highway to avoid delays at the gate. From a safe driving perspective, ETC failure isn't trivial—getting stuck at a highway entrance could cause accidents. The best solution is to quickly visit a service point or contact customer support.
