Kilpatrick Turnpike Begins Using Plate Pay System

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is now beginning to phase out cash toll booths on turnpikes across the state.

The John Kilpatrick Turnpike in Oklahoma City began using the new Plate Pay cashless system Sunday.

State officials said the change is long overdue, and it will be much safer for those on the turnpikes.

"Cashless tolling has been around for really in earnest the last 10 years, many, many other turnpike authorities, and turnpike operators across the country are utilizing cashless tolling today," state secretary of transportation Tim Gatz said.

Green Country drivers can expect to see the change on the Creek Turnpike in 2022.

Gatz said the main reason for the change is safety. More than 500 accidents happened at cash toll plazas in the last six years.

"You have three opportunities to have an accident: One when you exit the main line in into that toll plaza, two when you stop to pay the toll, and three, when you reenter the main line.”

With Plate Pay, a camera will take a picture of your license plate and send you a bill.

If you have a PikePass, nothing will change. If you don't have one, you may see higher prices.

"That increase is necessary to handle the handling charge and the processing of the license plate-based tolling," Gatz said.

Along with safety, seeing less cash was another reason for the change.

Gatz said there has been a 33% drop in people using cash on the turnpikes.

"Cash is quickly phasing out,” Gatz said. “It's becoming more and more difficult to even find the equipment that is needed, to do the tolling in the lanes.”

The turnpike authority hopes to have all toll booths converted to plate pay by 2025.