Motorists sue tollway agencies over tens of thousands of dollars in penalties

Ruth Arlene Murray, 72, of San Bernardino County faces more than $70,000 in fines for failing to pay $504 in tolls to the Transportation Corridor Agencies, another turnpike operator. And OCTA has assessed Stephanie and Brian Young of Corona $53,550 in penalties for $580 in unpaid tolls.

"This is ridiculous," said Stephanie Young, the mother of three children. "People should not face losing their homes and their cars over fines like this."

The lawsuit accuses the California toll authorities of violating constitutional protections against excessive fines. The motorists also allege that the government agencies mishandled their requests to correct mistakes, denied them adequate opportunities to contest penalties, and imposed stiff fines although violations were unintentional and some tolls were eventually paid. Read the whole LA Times story HERE.