Dartford toll and lane changers

[keslake]

Why in gods name can't people have the correct change ready when they know they will be using the toll booth?
Some fkwits don't even have their wallets or purse to hand and then rummage around while everyone else sits
merrily behind them waiting.

Worse than the above though are the numpties who change lanes on both the approach and exit of said toll just to gain that vital extra position.

fkers
wkers
s

Edited by keslake on Monday 17th March 17:31

[Rutter]

You'd have hated me a few years back when we had zero change in the car only to be told they wouldn't take cards so made all the traffic hold on whilst the Mrs wrote out a cheque!

[vikingaero]

When I drive a vehicle (without my personal Dart tags) and I need to using the Crossing, I get £2, £3 ready in change and leave it somewhere accessible.

How about starting the toll at £2 and after 15 seconds it goes up to £5, then £15 more seconds to £10.....

[Lawbags]

I've always got it ready with a spare pound too.
I always check the rejected coins tray too. I'd say in 1 out of 3 checks, there is a pound or more in there

[mike-r]

I dropped my money once and it went under my seat, I had to get out and rummage around for ages. Never felt so guilty!

[Rubymurray]

Or maybe they could try getting rid of the tax, sorry, toll all together?

[leafspring]

I have the change handy, but have noticed in a couple of newer hire cars there's nowhere to put it.

[Skodaku]

Rutter said:

You'd have hated me a few years back when we had zero change in the car only to be told they wouldn't take cards so made all the traffic hold on whilst the Mrs wrote out a cheque!

Had this some years ago on a Friday teatime. Massive queues, I'm now only one car from the booth, with money in paw. Driver of car in front has long conversation with toll booth chap then gets out of car and rummages around in the car boot for a week, finds cheque book, writes out cheque, hands to chap, has another looong conversation, returns to boot, rummages around for cheque card, (which he holds up to show me like an olympic medal), gives card to chap and THEN...........puts cheque book and card back in the boot before finally firing-up the beast, (something Toyota IIRC), and bimbling away. Chap in toll booth looked at my face and said; "Don't say a word".
About time the toll/charge was removed as it must generate more CO2s and wasted time than any other motoring location in these isles.
And........breathe !

[jagracer]

Don't get too stressed, only a few months and you wont be paying at the booths any more.

[kiethton]

jagracer said:

Don't get too stressed, only a few months and you wont be paying at the booths any more.

You'll just be stuffed for £120 if you forget to register and pay if you've passed through....an argument for foreign plates if every there was one!

[jagracer]

kiethton said:

You'll just be stuffed for £120 if you forget to register and pay if you've passed through....an argument for foreign plates if every there was one!

I'd best not forget to register then although I already have an account so no doubt I'll have to give them a few reg numbers.

[TheEnd]

Tell me more about this register thing.
I might go across it 1-2 a year.

[ma9mwah]

You can use Euro notes up to €50

[s p a c e m a n]

In theory you will ping the anpr at the port if you try to leave without paying. I would guess that would only work with fines though rather on the day, so you'll be ok once and then you'll get stung.

I play the 'avoid the left foreign lorry' game at the tolls, that involves some swift last second lane changes.

[vrsmxtb]

No matter which lane you go in, you will have a spell of always being behind the fkwit with no money.

Having said that I'm always vaguely nervous that my Dart Tag will fail and it'll be a day when I have no change, then I'll be the fkwit.

[996TT02]

Rutter said:

You'd have hated me a few years back when we had zero change in the car only to be told they wouldn't take cards so made all the traffic hold on whilst the Mrs wrote out a cheque!

Same here, I pay for everything by card then I drove up and was told "cash only..." so I had to open the boot, open my luggage, rummage around, and finally find the bleeding £2

I think stupid are the operators who don't put up clearly visible signs saying "cash only" a suitable distance away where one can safely stop and do the business, rather than the people caught out.

Having said that, if you do know about the toll and the details... It's like at the supermarket checkout, after all items have been scanned, and the total dictated to the shopper, only then does he/she have a rummage for her wallet / purse. It's like they are surprised that payment is actually going to be requested on that particular day. Grrrr.

[Winky151]

Rubymurray said:

Or maybe they could try getting rid of the tax, sorry, toll all together?

Considering the 'toll' was only meant to be in place until the bridge had recovered its costs which it did a number of years ago I'd have to agree (although only use it once or twice a year myself & do have my change ready ).

[Riley Blue]

My experience of the M25 suggests that the longest delays can be anywhere round it, not necessarily at the Dartford Crossing.

[Hol]

I'm not sure I have ever been though a uk toll that was not for cash, or prepaid.

[DeanoX]

This is what happens when people struggle with the right change. Some fat w***er gets impatient, doesn't notice a small MG Midget behind him and actually tries to reverse out of the lane to save a few moments - straight into the midget. Then never once apologises.
http://www.eatworms.org.uk/mg-midget/galleries/72-...

Still bloody annoys me even now !!