Oklahoma Drivers Receiving Toll Road Fines from Christmas Blizzard

By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is addressing concerns by several motorists who received fines while driving on the turnpike during the Christmas Eve blizzard.

The motorists say they could not get to the toll gates due to cars blocking the entrances or snowdrifts. Motorists who drove through the toll booths without paying the required fee have started receiving tickets in the mail.

Sky News 9 HD Pilot Mason Dunn was snowed in at work Christmas Eve when his wife ventured out to come get him.

"All the other roads were blocked, but she ended up getting on the turnpike and when she went to pay a toll, the coin slots were completely blocked and there's no way you can pay a toll," Dunn said.

Dunn said his wife had to violate tolls at two points on the turnpike and she received two fines; the first for $25 and the second for $50.

Dunn said he called the Turnpike Authority to see if he needed to pay the toll because of the circumstances with the blizzard. He said he was told the tickets could be reduced to $10 and $15.

"You would think they would look back at this day and realize that people supposedly running the gates would only get charged the toll instead of a $75 fine," Dunn said.

But the Turnpike Authority said people were warned to stay off the roads and the state of emergency that was called did not mean that tolls were suspended.

"Even during the snow storm we are still collecting tolls. That's our main source of revenue. That's our only source of revenue and at no time was the turnpike free, even in the state of emergency," said Jack Damrill with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

Damrill said motorists who drove on the turnpike without paying the tolls should have called the office the next business day and they would have only been charged the toll amount.

Damrill said once the violation notices are mailed out, paying the toll amount is no longer an option. However, he said his office will still work with violators to reduce the amount of the fines. If you don't pay the fee, you will be turned over to collections and a lien could be placed on your car.