EZpass Flex can never tell I have 3+ people in the car

[Anonymous]

We just moved outside the beltway, and I've been driving 66 Express with EZPass Flex set to ON and two kids in the backseat and have already received a few warning emails telling me I didn't have 3. I assume I'll start getting penalized/fees. It's so frustrating! I have 3! And my kids aren't even that young (late elementary, both sitting on boosters). Smallish SUV if that matters. Does anyone have tips for the cameras seeing kids in the backseat? Here is what they sent to me when I replied:

"Across the Express Lanes, we have camera technology that identifies when a car makes a trip on the Lanes in HOV mode. Members of our team will check this data and will verify that your E-ZPass Flex was in HOV ON mode with less than 3 people in the car which includes individuals with short stature and children.We recommend that all passengers be visible from the window to be detected by the cameras and the team reviewing the images."

Frankly, I'm surprised they can even see me, the 5-foot-tall driver!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP knows how to use the EZ Pass Flex. There is no need to be condescending. She is saying that she uses the EZ Pass Flex but is being accused of not having the required 3 people in the car (i.e., cheating the system) even when she does have 3 people in the car.

Actually no where does she say she has the EZ Pass Flex. You'd be surprised at the number of people who don't. Get the Flex.

You'd be surprised at the number of people who don't read the thread title.

[Anonymous]

I thought infrared cameras were used.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is weird because we've never had an issue using the HOV3+ transponder and my wife is usually sitting in the middle back seat of our car between our two kids (fussy toddler + 5 year old). So our front passenger seat is usually empty!

I just checked our account and it seems to have properly credited us with (0.00) charge every time we had 3+ in our Subaru Outback over the past year.

Interesting. I wonder if the camera looks through the windshield as you enter the lane and basically notes the occupancy of the back middle seat. They certainly don't seem to see the back outboard seats.

I've had luck if my kid waves her arms around but that's annoying to remember.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP knows how to use the EZ Pass Flex. There is no need to be condescending. She is saying that she uses the EZ Pass Flex but is being accused of not having the required 3 people in the car (i.e., cheating the system) even when she does have 3 people in the car.

Actually no where does she say she has the EZ Pass Flex. You'd be surprised at the number of people who don't. Get the Flex.

You'd be surprised at the number of people who don't read the thread title.

That’s how you know the dcum population isn’t the brightest bunch despite claiming to all make 800k/year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is weird because we've never had an issue using the HOV3+ transponder and my wife is usually sitting in the middle back seat of our car between our two kids (fussy toddler + 5 year old). So our front passenger seat is usually empty!

I just checked our account and it seems to have properly credited us with (0.00) charge every time we had 3+ in our Subaru Outback over the past year.

Interesting. I wonder if the camera looks through the windshield as you enter the lane and basically notes the occupancy of the back middle seat. They certainly don't seem to see the back outboard seats.

I've had luck if my kid waves her arms around but that's annoying to remember.

As the driver, I’ll usually point over my right shoulder to try to indicate for the camera that my wife & kids in the backseat. Maybe they are seeing that?

I don’t do it every time, but probably 60-70% of the time. I’ll also note that I have DC plates….not sure if maybe they are more strict with VA plates since the jurisdictions do not have camera reciprocity.

[Anonymous]

OP we live in DC, have the flex transponder, 4 kids and rarely if ever take the HOV lanes. If we are there we have our kids with us and always get dinged. It is so annoying. Sure they are little/booster seats but it seems they just don't check and hope you don't contest.