North Texas drivers who’ve repeatedly refuse to pay toll road fines may soon find themselves in court. And the North Texas Tollway Authority plans to crack down further at the end of the month.
Most of the drivers who travel North Texas toll roads pay for that choice. Then there’s the other one percent, the 33,000 who don’t have a toll tag and repeatedly ignore bills sent through the mail.
In July the North Texas Tollway Authority began publishing the names of top violators- drivers with more than 100 unpaid tolls for more than six months.
Last week the NTTA upped the ante by sending the accounts of some 6,000 violators to law firms.
The NTTA’s Michael Rey says the lawyers can negotiate payment but they’re prepared to take the violators to court.
“They can go to a civil court and ask for the monies outstanding. Ultimately it could go to impacting your credit rating,” Rey said.
Top NTTA Violators
The NTTA is expected to tighten the vise even further on September 19 when board members vote to ban violators from area toll roads.
“The next time they’re stopped on an NTTA roadway their car can be towed from the roadway and impounded until those tolls are paid,” Rey said.
Ultimately the NTTA plans to ask the state legislature for the right to prevent violators from registering their vehicles with the state.
The NTTA says the lost revenue adds up to some $24 million. The top offender reportedly owes more than $182,000 in tolls and fines.
