OHIO — Officials with the Ohio Turnpike are developing a new strategy to address unpaid tolls by publicly identifying the worst offenders, according to a spokesperson.
The plan would involve compiling a list of commercial trucking companies with the highest amount of unpaid toll debt and sharing that information with media outlets as well as posting it online.
The Turnpike already uses several enforcement methods, including sending unpaid invoices to collections after multiple notices and preventing drivers with outstanding tolls from renewing their licenses or vehicle registrations.
Officials say some truck drivers without E-ZPass attempt to avoid toll charges by obscuring their license plates, including using grease or flipping plates upside down to evade cameras.
The spokesperson said most drivers comply with toll payments, but those who do not create an unfair burden because toll revenue is used to maintain and improve the roadway.
No timeline has been announced for when the public list will be released, but officials expect it to be implemented in the near future.
Authorities emphasized that toll evasion and tampering with license plates are illegal and could result in penalties.
