Editorial: Turnpike safety first

The Ohio Turnpike has multiple problems to fix centering around the open tolling system built around the E-ZPass.

The continuing scam where drivers are randomly texted with the claim they have a small unpaid amount owed to the Turnpike Commission is a minor irritant. The 250,000-plus drivers billed based on license plate readers at open tolling stations are a bigger problem.

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But by far the biggest problem is that the apparent confusion over procedure at the Swanton toll plaza in western Lucas County is a deadly safety threat. The plaza configuration must be re-examined and likely redesigned.

Three crashes near the milepost 49 toll plaza caused four deaths and 11 injuries and closed the turnpike in both directions on Aug. 15. It took more than 100 first responders to deal with the emergency.

The National Transportation Safety Board has joined the Ohio Highway Patrol in the investigation of the Swanton crashes. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy refused to jump to conclusions during a news conference announcing the investigation, last week in Perrysburg.

“We don’t speculate. We work with facts. We still have a lot to investigate here,” Ms. Homendy said.

The first crash, which took two lives, occurred when a driver inexplicably slowed near the toll plaza and was hit from behind by a semi-tractor trailer carrying toxic chemicals. That truck overturned and burned, causing a chain reaction of collisions behind the first crash.

Investigators must determine whether confusion over how to pay the toll was behind the driving decision that began the deadly events which stretched over two miles.

When the NTSB report detailing their investigation is released, it will include recommendations to prevent similar situations in the future. Those safety board recommendations should be acted upon immediately as security on a high-speed highway demands driver clarity on expectations at toll plazas.

While the NTSB and OHP are concentrating on the specific crashes that took lives, the Turnpike Commission should be researching ways to make sure drivers understand how the open tolling system works.

At the speed turnpike drivers travel it may take added signage seen more miles before the toll plaza alerting drivers to the different procedure for E-ZPass-enabled vehicles and other traffic.

While the convenience of open-road tolling for E-ZPass holders is greatly appreciated, safety is the first requirement.

Regardless of the official findings in the crash investigation, it’s obvious that high-speed confusion at the toll plaza invites chain reaction crashes.

Whatever it takes, that must end.