NTSB recommends eliminating manual toll lanes after fatal Ohio crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended the elimination of manual cash toll payment lanes at highway toll plazas. This recommendation follows a fatal August 2024 accident at the Interstate 80 toll plaza near Swanton, Ohio.

In the incident, a Toyota SUV slowed abruptly to transition from high-speed lanes to the low-speed manual lanes. A tractor-trailer traveling at the 70 mph speed limit struck the SUV, resulting in two deaths and three serious injuries. Investigators determined the SUV driver likely experienced a loss of situational awareness due to fatigue, while the truck driver had insufficient time to react to the sudden deceleration.

The NTSB stated that the crash could have been avoided if the plaza had been configured for fully electronic tolling and provided clearer information regarding payment options.