Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Waives Violations from December Blizzard

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority announced that it will waive toll violation fines that occurred during the December Blizzard.

According to the Turnpike Authority the blizzard affected travel and caused problems with the cash toll equipment. Fees will be waived that occurred from 10 a.m. December 24 to 10 a.m. December 26. The Turnpike Authority announced that those who received violations during this time period will only be responsible for paying the toll they would have otherwise paid.

Those who have already paid fines for violations received over the designated time period will receive a refund minus their toll fee.

"It was brought to our attention that many of our cash toll lanes were either blocked by stalled cars or impassable," OTA Director Gary Ridley said. "This was a once-in-a-life time storm and we recognize the fact that those drivers may have had no choice but to take a Pikepass lane thus activating the automated violation notice being issued.

In addition, the weather caused our cash collection equipment to malfunction, making it impossible to collect tolls at several locations."

Motorists who received a violation notice in the mail will receive an updated statement from the Pikepass office that will indicate their violation has been released and the amount of toll they should pay. Those motorists will be provided contact information with the updated statement.

Turnpike spokesman Jack Damrill says 1,286 toll violations were issued for a 48-hour period that ended the day after Christmas. Damrill says fewer than 100 motorists have paid the fine and they will be reimbursed.

Motorists can contact the Pikepass Customer Service Center at (800) 745-3727 with any questions regarding the toll.