FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2008

Contact: Rep. Jim Ryan

Chair, House Transportation Committee

(603) 271-3554

HOUSE VOTES TO CORRECT E-Z PASS PROBLEM

CONCORD – Today, the New Hampshire House voted to allow E-Z Pass users with fewer than five violations to retain driving privileges, registration and license plates.

This legislation, HB 1604, was filed at the request of the Department of Transportation. Recent administrative errors resulted in the license suspension and roadside arrest of a driver who had already paid his fine for allegedly skipping a toll.

“After learning of this embarrassing error, the Department of Transportation and the New Hampshire House acted swiftly to create a legislative correction,” said Rep. Jim Ryan (D-Franklin), Chair of the House Transportation Committee. “While we want to keep lawful drivers on our state’s roads, there is no excuse for the roadside arrest of a driver who has already paid his fine. We must account for the possibility of human error.”

The vehicle owner will be notified each time a violation occurs, and has 30 days from the date of notification to pay the toll. If the owner fails to pay, a hold may be placed on the individual’s tag renewal upon re-registration.

The legislation now goes to the Senate.