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A new bill proposed by Republican State Representative Brenda Pugh aims to stop the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission from sending text messages about unpaid tolls and fees. The bill seeks to protect citizens' privacy and reduce confusion over scam texts claiming to be from the commission.
The legislation would prevent the commission and its affiliates from using text messages for toll-related notifications. Rep. Pugh stated, "My legislation ensures motorists are protected from unsolicited or confusing text notifications while still allowing appropriate communication channels to be used effectively."
The bill comes in response to numerous reports of scam messages related to unpaid tolls. These scams have caused confusion and frustration among Pennsylvania drivers. The Pennsylvania Turnpike, PennDOT, and the governor's office have all issued statements confirming that the government will not text constituents about unpaid tolls.
Despite these assurances, the Pennsylvania Turnpike recently announced a pilot program to send text notifications about unpaid tolls and enforcement actions. Rep. Pugh argues that this initiative could lead to more confusion and potential harm. The proposed bill has not yet been introduced to lawmakers for consideration.
For more details, visit the Pennsylvania Legislative website.