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Texas scofflaw incurs almost $180K in unpaid tolls & penalties

GasBuddy Blog -- According to KLTV in Tyler, TX, some North Texas motorists have run up tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid toll-road tolls - in 22 cases, more than $100,000 worth of driving.

Now, the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), which uses an all-electronic toll collection system, is coming after them, warning them to pay up or wind up in court. It posted a list of close to 26,000 of its top toll violators on its website with past-due bills of more than $2,500 to almost $180,000.

Spokesman Michael Rey says the worst had more than 4,000 unpaid tolls at the end of 2011. He says those aren't accidents or mistakes but "a wanton refusal to pay for service you use."

And the worst of the worst is a Dallas woman whose bill...

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Submitted Jul 16, 2012 By: PD

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sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:2,981 Points:594,810 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 18, 2012 1:19:59 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Old post.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 18, 2012 6:09:02 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse can we votes some of those off GB who feel this is a mouthpiece for their political viewpoints when the article has nothing to do w/ the Beltway politics?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 18, 2012 6:08:17 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse lots of money being missing in the coffers.
RogerB Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:18,040 Points:2,619,360 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 18, 2012 1:56:56 AM Ignore RogerB Report Abuse OK...VOTE TO CLEAN OUT WASHINGTON IN 2012!
Marson Champion Author Scranton Posts:8,922 Points:2,073,185 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 11:02:23 PM Ignore Marson Report Abuse Wow that is amazing.
ScottE Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,352 Points:2,195,905 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 9:14:14 PM Ignore ScottE Report Abuse Like NY and other local govt. authority. Scoff at the LAW!
hatterasjack Champion Author South Carolina Posts:1,286 Points:722,320 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 6:49:02 PM Ignore hatterasjack Report Abuse I didn't think they let you get away with repeatedly not paying.
Bungee Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,542 Points:1,995,265 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 6:31:27 PM Ignore Bungee Report Abuse Don't these violators know that Texas has the Death Penalty and isn't afraid to invoke it? ;-)
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:2,981 Points:594,810 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 3:45:16 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse old
rx7racerca Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,183 Points:1,109,115 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 3:42:18 PM Ignore rx7racerca Report Abuse Have never understood the American predilection for toll roads. Just an inefficient way to collect a tax, so the government, and the public can pretend it's not a tax.
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,879 Points:3,125,955 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 3:28:03 PM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse The same happens in n.y.!!!!
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,417 Points:1,469,370 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:49:29 PM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse Here in Colorado, if you don't pay a $6.00 toll charge, you can end up with a bill in the $1,000s after they tack on late fees, penalties, etc, etc. Probably much the same in Texas.
JXQW Champion Author Kansas City Posts:2,787 Points:683,325 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:39:44 PM Ignore JXQW Report Abuse blame it to economy and low morale ...
bigmace111 Champion Author Albany Posts:2,703 Points:610,600 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:29:21 PM Ignore bigmace111 Report Abuse I can't beleive that it is taking them this long to catch up to these people. It should never get past a $500.00 threshold, and they should be caught.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,208 Points:869,060 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:28:08 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse This is a repeat story from yesterday, how about some fresh news.
BobbyVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:5,487 Points:1,172,525 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:28:00 PM Ignore BobbyVA Report Abuse Seems the N. Texas Tollway Authority would act faster so a toll of over $200 would be jumped on in a timely fashion. Violators with large amounts should be dealt with severely.
Algernon Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,190 Points:783,995 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:25:35 PM Ignore Algernon Report Abuse That is awful.
TXryder Champion Author Texas Posts:2,686 Points:428,730 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:25:32 PM Ignore TXryder Report Abuse With a nut like Prick Perry as gov, toll roads have to pay for what our taxes should have been spent on.
NavyEOD Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:9,986 Points:2,017,150 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:25:18 PM Ignore NavyEOD Report Abuse I hate toll roads.
rnlunder Champion Author Waco Posts:2,321 Points:496,125 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:25:17 PM Ignore rnlunder Report Abuse $180,000K in tolls is not inconceivable. Tolls are based on the registered owner of the vehicle based on the license plate number. If someone owns multiple vehicles that other family members or employees drive on the toll roads, all those tolls, administrative charges and late fees go back to the owner. Also, they did not say how long it took to accumulate $180K in tolls and how much of that was tolls and how much was administrative and late fees, which are pretty hefty if the tolls are not paid on time. I suspect that 3/4 of the $180K is in administrative and late fees. There was a case where a Disabled Vet was charged nearly $2000 in administrative and late fees on less than $50 in actual toll charges because he thought Disabled Vets were exempt from paying tolls, which was the case in the Houston area toll roads, but not in the Dallas area toll roads. The only exception is the DFW airport freeway which is free to Disable Vets. Texas did not screw up at all....They hired a private company (NTTA) to manage their toll roads in the Dallas area and Texas gets it's money regardless of NTTA's administrative problems. The one loosing money is NTTA.
14smoke08 Sophomore Author Montreal Posts:240 Points:47,600 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:20:32 PM Ignore 14smoke08 Report Abuse I think some tolls roads or bridges are fine, but you need to pay a lot of tolls to hit $180,000.
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,027 Points:1,099,605 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:20:12 PM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse I am sure pleased I am not a Texan.
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,947 Points:677,065 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:19:35 PM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse I do not believe I would mess around with things in TX. They take care of problems, the way the US used to take care of problems.
divebomber Champion Author Nebraska Posts:6,058 Points:1,808,275 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:18:11 PM Ignore divebomber Report Abuse REPEAT NEWS,PD!
Tekkie Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:4,333 Points:913,630 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:17:40 PM Ignore Tekkie Report Abuse ok?
suzyq2007 Champion Author Dallas Posts:7,144 Points:1,645,950 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:16:19 PM Ignore suzyq2007 Report Abuse most of this is actually fees, not for the actual tolls. I think they should pay the tolls but not the extra amount that has been added on.
Mikey15 Rookie Author Dayton Posts:94 Points:203,840 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:15:58 PM Ignore Mikey15 Report Abuse Better to pay first and not run the risk of court ordered fines and possibly jail time. [Edited by: Mikey15 at 7/17/2012 2:16:03 PM EST]
eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:8,163 Points:1,660,835 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:15:45 PM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse Hit them hard...
mrinmoyd Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,095 Points:364,525 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:14:52 PM Ignore mrinmoyd Report Abuse i also ..
firechief Champion Author New York Posts:3,426 Points:2,063,125 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:14:18 PM Ignore firechief Report Abuse Tolls suck! Why do we have to pay for something we are already being taxed on!
36IHBinder Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,933 Points:638,115 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:13:52 PM Ignore 36IHBinder Report Abuse d2
jep39 Champion Author California Posts:1,141 Points:1,222,965 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:11:23 PM Ignore jep39 Report Abuse I try to avoid toll routes but sometimes this the only logical route to your destination. If you do use toll routes, be an honest legal citizen.
julius1st4 Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,198 Points:1,190,050 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:10:14 PM Ignore julius1st4 Report Abuse Old News. Texas screwed up big time
kelly1016 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,953 Points:352,940 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:09:06 PM Ignore kelly1016 Report Abuse That is a lot of tolls. Are they sure she is the only driver of that car? Perhaps a mistake? I do not believe in tolls in the first place and they should be abollished.
pmanning7843 Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,656 Points:333,990 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:08:40 PM Ignore pmanning7843 Report Abuse ok
eye-spy Champion Author Quebec Posts:4,568 Points:2,413,845 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:05:52 PM Ignore eye-spy Report Abuse Sooner or later, they'll get you, but $180,000 seems ridiculous.
thirty8paces Champion Author Baltimore Posts:4,503 Points:1,103,145 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:01:28 PM Ignore thirty8paces Report Abuse Make em' pay.
garman87 Champion Author Austin Posts:3,243 Points:2,369,755 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 2:01:04 PM Ignore garman87 Report Abuse I at least hope Amber has a job.
RunnigOnEmpty Veteran Author Michigan Posts:266 Points:1,599,720 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:58:42 PM Ignore RunnigOnEmpty Report Abuse Another internet hoax. Nobody can drive that much!
EconomiserAZ All-Star Author Tucson Posts:745 Points:144,090 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:56:04 PM Ignore EconomiserAZ Report Abuse In addition to the tax burden on drivers! Tolls are obscene.
pecos Champion Author Columbus Posts:7,710 Points:2,108,510 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:55:51 PM Ignore pecos Report Abuse There own fault... throw them in the poky.
melvindale Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,438 Points:351,230 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:52:39 PM Ignore melvindale Report Abuse Kind of their own fault. Most people, after not paying a few times and finding that nothing happens, they decide to never bother. After a couple years they've forgotten about - previously convinced that nothing would ever be done. Now a public appeal to pay your bills. That tells the same people that the state has no intention of doing anything, and they are just trying to trick a few dumb ones into paying. Just like they did the day you drove through this thing... To get them paid, take a few to court, after the news that they pay fines, pay interest, pay penalties, and have it all taken out of their paychecks, then you will get others paying up - but not before.
CocoPaz Champion Author Santa Barbara Posts:2,341 Points:318,420 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:52:33 PM Ignore CocoPaz Report Abuse "warning them to pay up or wind up in court. " How about in jail? Why should we pay more for the cheaters?
THX138 Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,544 Points:1,010,985 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:49:07 PM Ignore THX138 Report Abuse O L D "news"
Bruno44 Champion Author Texas Posts:7,054 Points:1,764,195 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:49:03 PM Ignore Bruno44 Report Abuse Though I avoid the toll roads, failure to pay tolls should be a criminal act.
badspots Champion Author Houston Posts:2,079 Points:673,320 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:47:43 PM Ignore badspots Report Abuse Go get um.
MadTraveler Champion Author Idaho Posts:2,082 Points:572,100 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:46:51 PM Ignore MadTraveler Report Abuse Old story
arinkrat17 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:6,269 Points:1,327,475 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:44:50 PM Ignore arinkrat17 Report Abuse get em
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,915 Points:2,341,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:44:43 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse It appears many people are not paying the highway tolls. Was this one of those roads built with the tolls paying for the cost of construction and the tolls would go away when it was paid off? Then the city or state recognizes it as a money maker and continues the toll payment? They hire a company to manage the operation of the toll booths, collection and maintenance? Why does it take so long to start enforcement of the laws? If you don't pay the toll, pay the judge! Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
willp99 All-Star Author San Diego Posts:712 Points:749,065 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2012 1:43:40 PM Ignore willp99 Report Abuse That's a lot of tolls!