The Suffolk County Police Department is the latest agency to join the state’s growing effort to combat so-called “ghost vehicles” — cars with fake, hidden, or obscured license plates that are often unregistered, uninsured, and difficult to trace.

Long Island drivers say the problem has become increasingly common, with many welcoming stricter enforcement.

“You see it all the time,” said Lori Sullivan, of Speonk. “You don’t know who’s driving it, if they have a license or not. They’ve got to do something.”

Ghost vehicles have been used to evade tolls, avoid traffic cameras, and in some cases, carry out criminal activity.

To address the issue, the MTA launched a Ghost Plate Task Force in March of last year. Since then, the task force has made over 1,000 arrests and issued more than 46,000 summonses, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office.

Now, Suffolk police are joining the effort, according to MTA Bridges and Tunnels president Cathy Sheridan.

“This is a regional problem, not just a five-boroughs problem,” Sheridan said. “Any partners we can add to help show that we are going to go after these people, seize their cars, and curtail this problem, it's a benefit.”

The Suffolk Police Department's involvement is notable, as the county has no bridge or tunnel crossings, but officials say the impact of ghost vehicles extends well beyond New York City.

Enforcement efforts could lead to arrests and vehicle seizures for drivers found operating ghost vehicles, according to authorities.