While authorities in some eastern states are taking measures to slow down people zipping through electronic toll lanes, higher-speed express lanes are on their way in other states.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey this week started giving warning notices to drivers speeding through the E-ZPass lanes. After Aug. 1, violations of the 5-mph limit could result in the suspension of E-ZPass privileges. Maine recently raised the speed limit at its toll plazas from 5 mph to 10 mph but started enforcing the limit.
Automated toll collection is becoming popular across North America. Drivers like them because it takes less time; toll road officials like them because it can double the capacity of toll plazas.
Types of express lanes vary, however. Turnpike providers in the Northeast are struggling to slow traffic down because it's dangerous to the people at work collecting tolls in adjacent toll booths. The North Texas Tollway Authority opened its first express lanes last summer on the President George Bush Turnpike, where toll tag users move through at suggested speeds of 45 mph. Some equipment can theoretically read cars traveling as fast as 150 mph.
In the Toronto area, the 407 Express Toll Route has no toll plazas; the 43-mile road is equipped with cameras and toll tag readers at all its 127 entrance and exit ramps. Drivers without toll tags can still use the highway, although there are no toll booths to accept the cash. Instead, cameras take a photo of your license plate and send a bill, including a surcharge for each trip, to the vehicle's registered owner.
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