Drivers no longer have to stop to pay for tolls at the eastbound toll plaza on the Tappan Zee Bridge, thanks to the installation of a new cashless tolling system.
The New York State Thruway Authority tweeted a picture Saturday night of the first cars traveling through the toll plaza in Tarrytown without having to stop.
The Thruway Authority says the new tolling process aims to reduce congestion and crashes as drivers will no longer need to weave in and out to get to an E-ZPass or cash-only lane.
Instead of toll collectors, a high-resolution camera will take a picture of a passing car's license plate. A bill will then be mailed to whomever the vehicle is registered to each month.
To ensure the fees are paid on time, a new law states that motorists who rack up five or more unpaid fees within 18 months will have their license suspended.
The Thruway Authority has announced that the new toll plaza will be temporarily moved to the Rockland County part of the bridge. It will then return to the Westchester side when the new bridge is complete.
It currently costs drivers $5 to go over the bridge. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said that the price will not change when the new span is completed.