Turnpike tolls to go up 17% on avg starting Aug 4th

[patric]

I've got to say I feel safest from collsions on the toll roads

The second most deadly traffic accident in Oklahoma took place on a toll road, so nothings a given.

[Conan71]

The second most deadly traffic accident in Oklahoma took place on a toll road, so nothings a given.

That's true, and I'm sure you've not forgotten the U-turn fatal on the WRT a couple years back due to a bonehead move by an OHP.  Of course there's always the chance a jet engine might fall through my roof and kill me too.  Fewer crossroads and controlled entrance/exits makes me feel safer on highways though.

[patric]

That's true, and I'm sure you've not forgotten the U-turn fatal on the WRT a couple years back due to a bonehead move by an OHP.

There was a string of them around that time, if I recall.
http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/index.php?topic=5058.0
That one was so egregious because OHP blamed the truck for not stopping in time.

After the last rate hike, in 2001, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority says total toll road traffic dropped by 4%.  The authority also says the average unhappy driver will stay off of turnpikes for one year after toll increases.  But, the average trucker may steer clear of them for five years.

It's a drop in truck tolls that's the reason for the hike!
Now that's some leadership 

[Steve]

The announced toll increases really don't affect me personally, as I rarely drive the toll routes.  I have never even been on the Creek Turnpike or any south Tulsa toll road, as a driver or a passenger.  If I drive west towards OKC, I always take old 66, a much more interesting drive.  The only Oklahoma toll road I have driven in the last 20 years is the Will Rogers, going to St. Louis and back.

Oklahoma's toll roads will NEVER be free roads.  The OTA will always be refinancing the debt and extending out the bond terms for years and years to keep tolls in place to pay for maintenance indefinately.  The recent toll increase in reaction to falling demand is contrary to basic principles of price, supply and demand, and may very well end up costing, rather that raising money, at least in the short term.     

[Red Arrow]

The recent toll increase in reaction to falling demand is contrary to basic principles of price, supply and demand, and may very well end up costing, rather that raising money, at least in the short term.     

Same thing with liquor and cigarette taxes, at least near the borders with other states with lower taxes.

[swake]

I once dug into the budget of OTA and gas tax data and figured out that for an additional six cents of gas taxes OTA could be done away with and the turnpikes made free.

Did you know that OHP is a huge line item in the OTA budget? OTA pays millions a year to OHP for patrolling the 'pikes.