New York City and state officials are joining forces to combat the rising issue of “Ghost Cars” on the streets of NYC. These vehicles, known for their fraudulent or manipulated license plates, have become a growing concern for law enforcement and city administrators.
What Exactly are Ghost Cars?
Ghost cars are essentially vehicles operating with license plates that have been either forged or deliberately altered. This deceptive tactic is employed to make these cars untraceable by traffic enforcement cameras and toll systems. By obscuring or changing characters on their plates, drivers of ghost cars attempt to evade accountability for traffic violations and toll fees.
NYPD officer inspecting a modified license plate, highlighting the tape used to alter the letter 'P' to resemble 'B', as part of the ghost car crackdown in New York City.
Why the Crackdown on Ghost Cars?
The surge in ghost cars is not just about toll evasion. Officials emphasize that these vehicles are frequently linked to more serious crimes. Mayor Eric Adams stated, “There’s a body of people who have made up their minds that they think that they can escape the law, and it’s not going to happen… serious actions that they use in these ghost vehicles, such as shootings, robberies, and hit-and-runs.” The anonymity provided by ghost car plates emboldens illegal activities, making it crucial for authorities to take decisive action.
The economic impact of ghost cars is also substantial. Toll evasion alone costs New York City an estimated $100 million annually. Beyond lost revenue, the presence of untraceable vehicles undermines the rule of law and creates a sense of lawlessness on city streets.
Multi-Agency Task Force Deployed
In response to this escalating problem, Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and MTA Chair Janno Lieber announced the formation of a dedicated multi-agency task force. This task force, one of the largest of its kind in the city and state, is specifically tasked with identifying and confiscating ghost cars.
Launched recently, the task force has already made a significant impact. In its initial operations, authorities reported impounding 73 vehicles, issuing 282 summonses, and making eight arrests. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban indicated that while the task force currently operates monthly, there are plans to increase its frequency to bi-weekly, especially during the summer months when more vehicles, including mopeds, are on the roads.
How Drivers Create Ghost Cars
NYPD Chief of Transportation, Phil Rivera, explained the simple yet effective methods drivers use to create ghost cars. “Some people are fixing pieces of tape to obscure one of the letters, or two alternate, or if you have like a ‘p’ they putting a piece of tape that makes it look like a ‘b’ or a ‘6’,” Rivera detailed. These low-tech modifications are surprisingly effective at deceiving cameras and creating plate numbers that are difficult to trace.
Legislative Actions to Combat Ghost Plates
Adding to the enforcement efforts, Governor Hochul is proposing new legislation aimed at increasing the financial penalties for drivers using ghost plates and for those who manufacture and sell devices designed to conceal license plates. These legislative measures seek to create a stronger deterrent against the use of ghost cars and reinforce the message that this practice will not be tolerated in New York.
The crackdown on ghost cars represents a concerted effort by New York authorities to restore order and accountability on the roads, addressing both traffic violations and the more serious criminal activities often associated with these vehicles.
