NTSB Proposes Removing Manual Tolls at Ohio Plazas

The recommendation follows a 2024 fatal crash at the Swanton Township Toll Plaza.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Car Types

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of empty highway toll booths from above, evoking institutional road safety policy. — The NTSB is urging the Ohio Turnpike to replace all remaining manual toll plazas with electronic systems following a recent fatal crash. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should toll plazas replace manual cash lanes with fully electronic tolling to improve road safety?

Following a fatal August 15, 2024, collision at the Swanton Township Toll Plaza, the NTSB is calling for the removal of manual toll lanes at four Ohio Turnpike locations. The agency suggests replacing these lanes with electronic tolling systems to prevent dangerous last-minute lane changes.

Why it matters

Investigators believe driver fatigue and inadequate signage regarding payment options created pressure for motorists to make sudden, hazardous maneuvers. These changes aim to modernize toll infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies on busy state roadways.

A tractor-trailer traveling at 70 mph struck an SUV moving at 15 mph at 5:29 a.m. Responding emergency services traveled 7 miles to reach the crash site, where three rear-seat passengers were found not wearing seat belts.

The players

NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency responsible for investigating significant accidents in the transportation sector.

Federal Highway Administration

This agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation oversees the nation's road infrastructure and sets engineering safety standards.

The details

The SUV driver attempted a sudden shift into manual toll lanes, placing the vehicle directly in the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer. The resulting impact pushed the truck into a concrete barrier, causing it to overturn.

July 25, 2024 - August 14, 2024: 1,099 vehicles were observed crossing the striped lane separation area.
August 15, 2024: The fatal collision occurred at the Swanton Township Toll Plaza.

Roadmap

This move signals a broader transition within the automotive industry toward all-electronic tolling to reduce human error. These changes position toll authorities to prioritize safety and throughput over traditional manual payment methods.

Drivers should prepare for the eventual phasing out of manual toll booths across Ohio Turnpike plazas. Motorists are encouraged to register for electronic tolling devices to ensure smoother travel through these checkpoints.

The takeaway

Sudden lane changes at toll plazas remain a significant risk factor, especially for tired drivers on long trips. Always ensure all passengers remain buckled and keep focused on signage well in advance of toll interchanges.