FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - September 14, 2011 -

Authorities say 40 percent of the 1.2 million bills sent to drivers under Florida's Turnpike new license plate tolling program have not been paid.

The turnpike went to a cashless toll system six months ago,
eliminating toll booths along the 47-mile stretch in Miami-Dade
County. Under the toll-by-plate system, a photo is taken of the
vehicle's license plate as it passes through a tolling location.
The vehicle's registered owner receives a monthly bill for the
tolls, plus a $2.50 administrative fee.

The collections have been slower than the state projected.
Turnpike officials had predicted about 30 percent of those who
receive bills would not pay, amounting to about $3.7 million
annually.

Still, officials say about 88 percent of turnpike drivers pay automatically with SunPass.