ORLANDO, Fla. – A state senator wants to get results after a News 6 investigation from last month exposed toll cheats on the Florida Turnpike.
News 6 discovered $60 million in tolls went uncollected on the Florida Turnpike last fiscal year. Part of the reason: Some drivers wrack up thousands of dollars in violations.
Read Matt Petrillo's previous report: $60 million in Turnpike tolls uncollected last year
Sen. Dennis Baxley, who represents part of Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties, is now working to drive out those toll cheats.
"That's what we pay the bills with," he said.
News 6 obtained a list of the top ten toll violators, showing one driver owing the turnpike more than $25,000 in tolls and fees. Now, the state transportation committee member is planning to share our report with his colleagues at the state capitol.
"Once we start cracking down on a few, I think we'll see a change," Baxley said.
As it stands, the Turnpike can only stop the registrations of toll violators with Florida licenses. Out of state drivers who wrack up enough violations only receive notices from collection agencies, and sometimes drivers ignore them.
That's why Baxley is considering to come up with legislation that would work with other states to stop the registration of anyone who's a habitual toll cheat, whether that's in Florida, or elsewhere.
"It's just like raising kids," he said. "If they know there's no consequence then their behavior's not under control."