New York Beats Class Suit Over Excessive Unpaid Toll Fines

A class suit alleging the New York State Thruway Authority imposed unconstitutionally excessive fines for late toll payments was thrown out by a federal district court, which ruled the fines weren’t unconstitutional or excessive and that plaintiffs failed to state a due process claim.

Toll collection at the Grand Island Bridges in upstate New York was done electronically and required pre-payment using an EZ-Pass, the class said. Drivers passing the toll station without the EZ-Pass were identified by their license plates, they said, and were later sent notice by the state thruway authority.

Late and administrative fees charged to drivers ...