The toll roads Irvine Ca. Pay more for fine then quoted Irvine Ca

The toll lanes in Orange County are pretty clearly marked; I mean you can't miss it.  If you opted to drive in the toll lanes without a transponder, then whose fault exactly is that?  Certainly not the OCTA or the Toll Roads. 

There are a number of drivers who drive in the other lanes of the highway who endure hours upon hours of traffic because they wish not to be subjected to having the transponder and loading it with $$.  That is certainly their choice. 

If you happen to be a tourist on your way to San Diego, or away from San Diego, you will encounter the toll roads.  The objective is not to drive on the toll roads unless you are certain your transponder works.  Otherwise, you will pay fines.

Within the last 1-2 years, the OCTA allowed drivers to drive without a transponder provided they paid the fine within a day and the fine of $6.62 is pretty cheap.  However, the trick is being able to go online that day and make the payment on a system that isn't so forgiving, as you no doubt found out. 

So your fine ended up at $36.62.  I'd have to say in CA, you got off pretty cheap.  Before the toll lanes were marked off, the toll lanes were diamond lanes.  The fine for illegally driving in a diamond lane is in excess of $500 in CA and it is not subject to negotiation.

Is it a money making scheme?  Of course it is, but so what??  That's why people load their transponders because they opt to pay that premium rather than sitting in traffic.  The fines and such are used to maintain these lanes, so yes there is a purpose for the tolls.  If you wish to avoid this sort of thing in the future next time, then don't drive on a toll road and if it means sitting in traffic, then so be it.  It's hard to be sympathetic about your fine when you clearly drove on the toll lane.