Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ohio Turnpike Encourage Motorists and Truck Drivers to Practice Safe Driving Behaviors Behind the Wheel
CLEVELAND (Feb. 20, 2026) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission teamed up at the Cleveland Auto Show to encourage safe driving behaviors behind the wheel.
Chris Matta, chief engineer/deputy executive director of the turnpike commission, urged drivers of passenger and commercial vehicles not to rely too heavily on technology features in today’s vehicles: “Innovations like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot warnings are impressive and helpful, yet they’re not a substitute for safe driving behaviors and letting your guard down,” Matta said. “Improving safety isn’t a switch we flip overnight. It’s ongoing work — through education, enforcement, outreach, and most importantly, personal responsibility.”
Sgt. Jeremy Kindler from the highway patrol said troopers will continue high visibility patrols on the Ohio Turnpike throughout 2026, focusing on speeding, distracted driving, and safety belt violations. “Enforcement matters — but we also need drivers to make responsible choices every time they get behind the wheel,” Kindler added. “This includes how we share the road with commercial vehicles. Stay out of their blind spots, don’t cut in front of them, and give them the space they need to stop safely. And we ask commercial drivers to stay alert, follow hours of service rules, and drive appropriately for conditions. Safety is a shared responsibility.”
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Ohio Turnpike Approves $246.8 Million Capital Budget for 2026
Investments to Support Infrastructure Renewal and Motorist Safety
BEREA, Ohio (Jan. 13, 2026) – The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has approved a $246.8 million capital budget for 2026, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining and modernizing one of the nation’s most vital transportation corridors.
“This capital plan reflects our responsibility to the millions of travelers and commercial drivers who rely on the Ohio Turnpike every year,” said Executive Director Ferzan Ahmed, P.E. “It’s a forward-looking investment in safety, mobility, and economic growth across Ohio.”
Essential infrastructure improvements will continue, including the replacement and resurfacing of over 114 lane miles of pavement. Additionally, 12 bridges will receive new decks, and two full bridge replacements will be completed—ensuring the continued strength and durability of the Ohio Turnpike’s critical infrastructure.
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New Toll Rate Schedules Begin in January 2026
E-ZPass customers with passenger vehicles will continue to save an average of 33% on Ohio Turnpike tolls compared to customers who pay by cash or credit card.
BEREA, Ohio (Dec. 11, 2025) -- The Ohio Turnpike’s toll rates will increase by 2.7% on Jan. 1, 2026.
The toll rate for E-ZPass customers with passenger vehicles (Class 1) will increase to $0.073 (or 7.3 cents) per mile in 2026 from $0.071 (or 7.1 cents) per mile in 2025; and the cash/credit card toll rate will increase to $0.106 (or 10.6 cents) per mile in 2026 from $0.104 (or 10.4 cents) per mile in 2025.
The toll rate for E-ZPass customers with commercial vehicles (Class 5) will increase to $0.226 (or 22.6 cents) per mile in 2026 from $0.220 (or 22 cents) per mile in 2025; and the cash/credit card toll rate will increase to 0.284 (or 28.4 cents) per mile in 2026 from $0.276 (or 27.6 cents) per mile in 2025.
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In preparation for the winter driving season and to keep motorists safe, maintenance/roadway workers from the Ohio Turnpike inspected its snowplow trucks and other equipment from Oct. 21-25, 2025, at eight maintenance buildings located across the 241-mile toll road.
The maintenance checklist includes a 136-point inspection of all engine parts, plowing equipment, tires, lights, and other components as well as a test calibration of the salt and liquid de-icing systems and more.
This year, 103 snowplow trucks will be available to maintain the Ohio Turnpike’s 1,400 lane miles, 24 toll plaza interchanges and nine non-tolled plazas, and 14 service plazas.
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The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission paid tribute to the official opening of the toll road, which occurred 70 years ago. On Oct. 1, 1955, at 12:01 a.m., then Gov. Frank J. Lausche declared, “Remove all barricades. Open the gates and let the traffic flow!”
During the Ohio Turnpike’s 70th Anniversary celebration event in Berea on Oct. 1, 2025, Jerry Hruby, chairman of the turnpike commission, told about 400 audience members that during construction over the course of 38 months, there were four major rivers to cross. The widest river valley to cross was the Cuyahoga River where it flows in Summit County. “It required the longest structure of the project, a set of half-mile long twin bridges that spanned 2,682 feet across the river,” he said.
Ferzan Ahmed, P.E., executive director of the turnpike commission, provided a glimpse of the turnpike’s future: “The Ohio Turnpike will emphasize safety, convenience, and value. While improving our safety and convenience for customers, we will always strive to maintain our value by keeping our toll rates the lowest in the region.”
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Mount Your E-ZPass Transponder to the Windshield Correctly to Avoid Additional Charges
Many changes have occurred across the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike that require E-ZPass customers to properly mount their E-ZPass transponders to the windshield behind the review mirror and away from any tinted areas.
These changes include the new open road tolling lanes for E-ZPass customers to travel nonstop at highway speed; the removal of all gates in the entrance lanes and E-ZPass exit lanes at 20 toll plaza interchanges; and the installation of video cameras to capture images of license plates, which is required to mail invoices for unpaid tolls.
Numerous tolling points to detect an E-ZPass were added to the Ohio Turnpike’s new open road tolling system, so waving an E-ZPass transponder by hand is ineffective and unsafe. If an E-ZPass transponder is not read properly by the system (no entry point was detected), the likely outcome is a max fare charge.
To avoid other potential billing issues, E-ZPass customers should also keep their online accounts up to date, including a listing of vehicle license plate number(s), a valid credit card as well as full contact information and email address.
To pay a toll online, visit www.ezpassoh.com or call customer service at 440.971.2222.
For more details about the Ohio Turnpike’s new tolling system, visit www.ohioturnpike.org/openroadtolling2024.
Click the image below to view a video on how to properly install your E-ZPass transponder.
