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How drivers are trying to avoid paying tolls on I-77 and still use the express lanes

The drivers are only getting warnings right now, but he said when troopers eventually start issuing citations, drivers could face $100 fines.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Highway Patrol is cracking down on drivers trying to avoid paying on the I-77 toll lanes.

Drivers with a total of three or more people in a car can ride for free on the toll lanes provided they buy a special transponder.

The driver flips a switch on the transponder to indicate it’s an HOV car, which prevents the readers above the road from charging for the trip.

However, some drivers with those transponders are flipping them to HOV when they have no other passengers.

Trooper Ray Pierce said Highway Patrol is now looking for those drivers.

"For the last weeks, month, we've been stopping cars that have less than the three people," he said.

RELATED: I-77 tollway project will not be done by October 31 deadline

RELATED: Portions of I-77 tolls open Saturday morning

The drivers are only getting warnings right now, but he said when troopers eventually start issuing citations, drivers could face $100 fines.

Trooper Pierce said they're also seeing vehicles with more than two axles riding the toll lanes.

"We’re seeing a lot of vehicles that are pulling landscape trailers, things of that nature, and technically, they are in violation,” he said. “The length of the vehicle can only be 20 feet or less."

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