Six cameras in each electroinc toll lane and one in each manual toll lane capture license plate photographs. 24 images (front and back) area captured of the license plate for each vehicle in the electronic toll lanes and eight images are captured of the back license plate for each vehicle in the manual toll lanes.
- Photographs are reviewed -
TransCore, WSDOT’s toll operations contractor, reviews photographs of the license plates captured in all toll lanes and selects the clearest photograph to enter the license plate data into the secure computer system.
The license plate numbers are then automatically cross checked with the Good To Go! account holders to determine if they are indeed Good To Go! customers who, for example, do not have their transponders installed or have them installed incorrectly. Those accounts are initially charged a $3.00 toll; $1.25 will be refunded after the cross checking is complete, and the customer will be removed from the violation processing system also. This transaction is called a Vtoll (video toll).
- License plate numbers sent to DOL -
The remaining license plate numbers are sent to the Department of Licensing for registered owner information.
- Second review of license plate -
When registered owner information is received back from the Department of Licensing, the photographs, jurisdiction, and license plate numbers are reviewed a second time to verify that all information matches.
- Washington State Patrol reviews license plate -
The photographs of identified vehicle violations and corresponding vehicle ownership information are sent to the Washington State Patrol for review. WSP cadets review the photos a final time, assuring that the registration information matches the plate and vehicle seen in the photograph. They then electronically approve the citation and return it to TransCore for issuance.
Certified violations are sent to vehicle owners from TransCore’s mailing house in Seattle. The database of certified violations also is forwarded to the Pierce County Administrative Courts for processing.
- Citation payment options -
Violators have the option of paying the citation by mail, by telephone, or by using the court’s on-line payment system. Those who seek a court hearing via mail or telephone may choose: (1) a Mitigation Hearing if they agree to having committed the infraction and want to explain the circumstances or (2) a Contested Hearing if they believe they did not commit the infraction and want to challenge it.
By law, the Washington State Patrol has up to 60 days to issue citations; however, the intent is to issue them as quickly as they can be processed.
For more information on the law governing toll violations related to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.