How many of you use New York's E-ZPass system when travelling on the Thruway? I'm having regrets. Normally, I embrace new technologies, and when I first heard about E-ZPass, it seemed like a good idea.

Why wait in line to pay a 20-cent toll between Schenectady and Albany when you can roll through a lane and have an electronic device deduct it from an account set up with the Thruway Authority. Sounds E-Z enough? Not!

Your E-ZPass, the size of a music cassette, comes with self-sticking fasteners that you attach to the inside of your front windshield near the rear-view mirror.

The E-ZPass contains a radio transmitter and microchip with information exclusively identifying your account.

As you enter the privileged purple and white toll lane the E-ZPass system picks up your individual code and automatically deducts the toll from your account. The gate goes up. A green light tells you to proceed. All this takes place in about two seconds -usually.

It seemed prudent to wait a few months before signing up so they could work out any bugs. I requested the sign up form and filled it out when it arrived weeks later. Selecting the option to debit it from my credit card when needed (a modest $15 at a time) seemed correct. Afterall, it was the convenience factor I wanted for both my cars.

The first few times through felt pretty cool, having left a long line of cars next to me. Then a week later, I received a threatening letter from the Thruway Authority stating I was in VIOLATION!! I hate that word.

Another long wait on the phone. I inquired to why they sent me a threatening notice when they had permission to debit my checking account. They said that option was not checked. Of course it was, I was looking at my copy of it. Anyway, they fixed it after I faxed them the credit card number again (twice).

Things were fine for several months but out of the blue I started getting yellow lights with the words CALL EZPASS. Not being successful at getting through on the phone, I looked at my monthly statements and everything looked fine. A bug, or perhaps they just wanted to chat?

Then it started happening more frequently.

My wife attempted to go through and when the gate didn't go up, the toll taker, noticing the EZPass on the windshield, asked "You have the early ones?" "Yes," she replied. "Yup, the batteries, lousy batteries," the toll taker replied. "Well, can I pay you in cash then," wife requested. "Nope, you have E-ZPass," shot back the toll taker, taking down the license plate number.

While on my way to New York recently, EZ Pass became EZ Nightmare. I received the dreaded "Call E-ZPass" ("You Felon," I thought it added). When I reached the last exit on the Thruway, I mentioned the problem to the toll taker. His comment: "Yeah, you going to fix the damn thing or keep bothering us." Hmm, wrong answer I thought. When I arrived at one of the toll bridges I simply paid the few dollars. I didn't need any more dialogue with a toll taker.

Two weeks later, I received a letter from EZPass telling me I was in violation for not having an account and ordered to pay $13. I phoned again and read them the account number, and they verified it. But, I had to write to headquarters to fix it. Why couldn't they do it on the phone, I asked? Not their department. I faxed a cover letter with a copy of my last month's statement proving I did have an account - for the last couple of years actually.

The following week, another threatening letter warning me about ignoring the previous one. The following week another from Customer Service Center Violation Unit. In neat hand writing it says "please submit payment of above listed violation via check or money order." There are five violations listed above with check boxes. None of them checked. Huh?

Another case of Murphy's Law? I don't find it convenient having to respond to several threatening letters from a system that seems to be malfunctioning.

This is one of those events that's laughable because it's so stereotypical of government agencies letting computers run amuk. Apparently there's no human oversight able to make a judgement call here. Remember the movie "Brazil."

My account hasn't lapsed since they automatically deduct it from my checking account when they need it. I do have an account. So what is the problem? How can I be in "violation" of anything but good judgement for signing up in the first place?

So, I guess I'll wait for the E-ZPass Police to come and take me away. Then maybe I can reason with them and get this resolved. Ah, unless they happen to be robots. Oh well, be sure to write.