OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — All Oklahoma turnpikes have now fully converted over to cashless tolling, with the Will Rogers Turnpike being the last to make the switch on Wednesday, allowing drivers to pass through tolls without having to stop and pay.
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) says they have already seen a significant change in crashes since other turnpikes around Oklahoma had already switched to cashless tolling.
"We're already seeing fewer toll plaza crashes on other turnpikes in our system since their conversion to cashless tolling and we're thrilled to provide this safety and convenience to motorists in Southeastern Oklahoma," said OTA Executive Director, Joe Echelle.
OTA's main focus when eliminating the concept of cash toll booths was to lower the amount of crashes that were caused by drivers having to suddenly change speed when transitioning lanes in order to stop at a toll booth.
Oklahoma has seen more than 500 crashes at toll booths since 2018, according to OTA.
Replacing cash toll booths is PlatePay, which helps give toll roads and easy flow of traffic by eliminating the need to stop and pay for tolls.
PlatePay uses cameras to photograph a vehicle's license plate, allowing for OTA to send out an invoice to registered vehicle owners that travel the turnpike. Drivers will then receive a bill, five days after through the mail or they can go online and pay the toll amount.
It takes about five days after traveling on an Oklahoma turnpike for the toll amount to show up online under a vehicles license plate number.
Oklahoma turnpikes also offer PIKEPASS which allows drivers to save up to 50% compared to PlatePay costs while offering other benefits through the Volume Discount Program.
PIKEPASS also works on toll roads in Kansas, Texas, and different tolls in Colorado and Florida.
To learn more about PIKEPASS or to sign up, click here.
