PA Turnpike Toll Scofflaws Being Targeted By State Police

PENNSYLVANIA — If you owe the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission unpaid toll money, you might want to pay the outstanding debt.

The commission and Pennsylvania State Police are launching a second statewide toll enforcement initiative. This follows a spring enforcement operation that resulted in more than 200 traffic stops and prompted stopped motorists to make payments.

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This effort will target motorists driving vehicles with suspended registrations resulting from unpaid tolls. Troopers could issue citations and might even impound vehicles operated by motorists with suspended registrations.

"The first operation made it clear that ignoring toll invoices does not make the obligation go away," Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said in a statement.

"Most of our customers pay their tolls. For those who repeatedly ignore invoices and ultimately have their vehicle registration suspended, there are real consequences. Our partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police is producing results and we will continue strengthening enforcement to protect customers who do the right thing."

In the first enforcement initiative, troopers made more than 200 traffic stops netting 23 drivers who owed more than $130,000 in past due toll balances.

Since April, troopers have stopped more than 1,100 additional motorists with toll-related registration suspensions. In one instance, troopers stopped a motorist who owed more than $100,000 in unpaid tolls.

The driver entered into a payment plan.

PennDOT suspends registrations for drivers who accrue $250 in unpaid tolls and fees or four unpaid Toll By Plate invoices.

Since 2018, the turnpike has issued more than 200,000, eligible for suspension letters to drivers with Pennsylvania registrations. More than 67,000 registrations still are in active suspension status.