Ohio Turnpike Assures Customers It’s Committed to Safety; And Focused on Assisting Affected Customers After Snowplow Incident

The Ohio Turnpike, one of the safest highways in the nation, has had an impeccable safety record over the past 66 years.
 
The turnpike is known for its ability to meet the demands of the most severe weather events to ensure that our customers have a safe driving experience along the 241 miles of highway stretching through 13 counties in northern Ohio.
 
What happened on Sunday, Jan. 23, during winter operations – when a plow truck operator hurled snow and ice over the median divider wall onto oncoming traffic – was an isolated incident involving a single snowplow operator. It is not representative of our employees or our operations.
 
Unfortunately, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), 53 vehicles were damaged, and 18 individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is focused on identifying each affected customer and addressing their needs. 
 
Affected turnpike customers who have not yet filed a report with OSHP should do so immediately. We are relying on contact information from the accident reports to inform our customers how to file a property damage claim online with the Ohio Turnpike so that we can reimburse them as quickly as possible. They should also contact their individual insurance companies to address vehicle damages and their immediate transportation needs.
 
To date, 45 vehicle owners have filed property damage claims through the Ohio Turnpike’s website.

Affected turnpike customers who require assistance related to the snowplow incident can contact the Ohio Turnpike’s Customer Service Center at (440) 971-2222.
 

Ferzan M. Ahmed, P.E.
Executive Director

“The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is focused on identifying each affected customer and addressing their needs.”

- Ferzan M. Ahmed, P.E., Executive Director 

January Is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Ohio ranks among the top five states in the country with the highest numbers of human trafficking cases, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

That’s why, as part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month (January 2022), the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is reminding motorists that online resources to help identify red flags and suspicious activity are available on its website as well as additional resources provided by the Governor's Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.

Human trafficking is a crime. Traffickers profit from the control and exploitation of their victims. It is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that involves force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.

In addition, the turnpike commission has been working with state agencies to raise awareness about the issue and conduct training sessions for the turnpike’s field team to become more aware and identify signs of human trafficking. 

To get help or report a trafficking tip, call the 24-hour national hotline at (888) 373-7888, or text INFO or HELP to BEFREE (233733). This is a toll-free hotline with interpreters available. (Standard messaging and data rates may apply.) Both methods of communication can be done anonymously. 

If you think someone faces immediate harm, call 911 or #677.
 

Lauren Hakos
Training & Development Manager

New Law Continues Modernization Plan to Improve Toll Experience for Ohio Turnpike Customers

A new state law, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last month, permits the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission to collect toll fees from non-E-ZPass customers who drive through its gateless E-ZPass lanes without paying.

Removing the gates is part of the Ohio Turnpike’s new Toll Collection System, which includes open road tolling lanes. Motorists will be able to travel the full length of the Ohio Turnpike non-stop in all E-ZPass lanes at highway speeds. Customers without an E-ZPass will have the option to take a ticket and pay using cash or a credit card. 

Under the new law (Senate Bill 162), the commission will work with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to require vehicle owners to pay their delinquent tolls before they can register their vehicle. The new law also protects customers’ confidential information and establishes an appeals process that is fair and clear to turnpike customers.

When fully implemented the Toll Collection System will process unpaid tolls using license plate lookup. The system will photograph license plates and send a bill to customers who travel through ungated E-ZPass lanes without a valid E-ZPass transponder.

Operation of the new toll system is scheduled to begin in spring 2023.

Senate Bill 162, which was sponsored by Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), who also serves as a turnpike commission member, passed last month in the Senate and House by votes of 31-0 and 95-1, respectively. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine on Dec. 22, 2021.
 

Adam Greenslade
Director of Government Affairs

A Note to Our Customers about COVID-19 Protective Measures at the Service Plazas

Keeping our customers and employees safe and healthy at 14 service plaza locations across the Ohio Turnpike during the COVID-19 pandemic remains a top priority. 

As we work through the pandemic and its variants, we remain committed to protecting our customers and employees with added safety measures. Here are some of the steps we continue to rigorously perform:

• More time spent cleaning our service plazas, including sanitizing surfaces like door handles, touch points and common areas with greater frequency;
   
• Providing additional hand sanitizer stations;
   
• Limiting the number of guests congregating inside the service plaza, which provides travelers with social distancing to get what they need safely;
   
• Obtaining the best cleaning products, services and other essential items for the service plazas as quickly as possible; and
   
• Providing our service plaza teams with the latest guidelines and best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health.

Service plazas, which are conveniently located every 30-50 miles, offer travelers a chance to take a break from driving. Easily accessible, service plazas are open 24-hours a day, every day, including holidays.

Thank you for your continued patronage! 

Enjoy your travel on the Ohio Turnpike — A Better Way To Travel!
 

Andrew Herberger
Director of Service Plaza Operations

Ohio State Highway Patrol Reminds Drivers to Be Prepared for Winter Weather

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds drivers to follow safe driving tips in winter. Ever-changing weather patterns can catch drivers off guard. You can reduce the risks of being involved in a crash by ensuring your vehicle is ready for the season, adopting winter driving techniques and following general roadway safety.

Last winter, there were 14,724 crashes on snow, ice or slush-covered roads in Ohio. These crashes resulted in 26 fatal crashes, which killed 33 people. Unsafe speed by the at-fault driver was the reported cause of 24 percent of those crashes. 

Before traveling in winter weather, clear the snow and ice from your windows, headlights and taillights of your vehicle. Also, allow defrosters time to work so you can see. Once you begin driving, go slow and increase following distances. Bridges, ramps and overpasses will freeze first.

When driving conditions worsen, motorists need to drive carefully, be vigilant, aware and patient. Slow down and give yourself extra time and space to brake and turn. If you are stranded, remain calm.

The patrol is reminding drivers to stock their vehicles with a winter car kit that includes an ice scraper, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, blankets, cell phone charger, first aid kit, tow rope, water, and food for longer trips. It is also important to ensure your tires have plenty of tread and keep your windshield washer reservoir full.

If you must travel in winter weather, visit OHGO for real-time traffic conditions from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

If your vehicle breaks down or you are involved in a crash, turn on your hazard lights, move your vehicle as far off the roadway as possible, remain in the vehicle, and call #677.
 

Staff Lt. Reeder
Turnpike Liaison

Stay informed on changing traffic patterns due to accidents, work zones and construction delays,
E-ZPass® updates and other Turnpike news by following us on Twitter and Facebook.

Copyright © 2022 Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you have a past relationship with the
Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission.

Published by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission,
Ferzan M. Ahmed, P.E., Executive Director
Adam Greenslade, Director of Government Affairs, Marketing and Communications
Questions or suggestions? Contact Charles Cyrill, Editor at news@ohioturnpike.org.

Our mailing address is:
Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
682 Prospect Street
Berea, OH 44017
440-234-2081

Unsubscribe from this list     Update subscription preferences