11 months later, tollway fines coming

After nearly a year, the tollway finally started sending out violation notices to toll cheats Thursday en masse.

The notices will include all violations that have been recorded by camera equipment over the last 11 months. Usually, the notices come out for every three recorded violations.

The delay in delivering the notices came as a result of complications in the tollway's move to switch the companies that are operating the toll enforcement system, says Joelle McGinnis. The last violation notices were sent out in September.

Figures on how big the violation backlog is are not available, McGinnis said. However, the tollway usually collects more than $13 million a year in fines and fees.

Every recorded toll violation lands a $20 fine. If it is not paid within 35 days it jumps to $70. After that, unpaid violations can garner drivers license and vehicle registration suspensions.

The violations are mailed to the address listed on the related license plate's registration. The registered owner is legally responsible for payment regardless of who was driving the car.

McGinnis said in the coming months tollway officials will review the delay and the company in charge of violation enforcement.

"We will focus on who and what was responsible for delays and to what extent," she said.