And motorists were delayed for over 12 hrs as the roads were closed (snowstorm) and when they re-opened, the NYDOT forced those motorists to pay the tolls
I don't agree with this at all
I don't agree with this at all
Well that is why we pay taxes, do we not?
From a PR perspective its horrible as
1) motorists were stranded out in blizzard conditions for 12 hrs due to the NYDOT not having forsight on future conditions
2) to then make those same stranded motorists pays for tolls for a 12 hrs delayed spent in freezing cars, being late to where they are going, etc due to the shortfalls of the NYDOT
What do you expect NYDOT to do about a blizzard? Say "please please stop snowing"? That's about all they could do. It's a BLIZZARD.
Do those motorists not know about checking the weather before they left? That storm had been a centerpiece of weather news for a few days, and there was no shortage of warnings about blizzard conditions.
motorists were stranded out in blizzard conditions for 12 hrs due to the NYDOT not having forsight on future conditions
Do you mean they were literally stranded on the side of a closed road, or do you mean they they had to hang out at a truckstop for a few hours while the roads were made safe again?
Road closures happen, especially in the upper midwest. Have you experienced a true blizzard (complete whiteout conditions and windchills in the negative fifties)? If you have you'd understand that sometimes the roads just can't be cleared or made safe. Closures happen because it's not even safe for the plow drivers to be out there.
As for the tolls, when the highways are open so are the tollbooths. Why is it the state's fault that an extreme weather event made clearing the roads impossible?
Ok? Like I said above, I am not arguing that the state has no right to collect the tolls. I feel under the circumstances, its a bad move to demand itIt's a common condition these days: it's not MY responsibility for me to take care of myself.
As for the tolls, when the highways are open so are the tollbooths. Why is it the state's fault that an extreme weather event made clearing the roads impossible?
When we pay taxes and tolls on top of it for the NYDOT, they better close the roads before stuff like this happens. That is part of the reason why we pay for the NYDOT. For them to fail on their end to maintain the safety of the roads and then turn around and demand toll payments for the upkeep/safety of the roads is ironic
Toll roads are an abomination in themselves.
Well that is why we pay taxes, do we not?
They were literally stranded on the side of a road or a ditch for 12 hrs in their personal cars
There were many reports of motorists running out of gas in order to keep their cars warm
you make it sound like the tolls are like 30 bucks. I could be wrong, but isnt it like a $1.50 or maybe at most $3-$3.50 for something like traveling the entire mass pike?
I find it hard to believe that the people were ordered to simply pull over on the side of the highway and stop driving.
The plows couldn't even clear the roads due to the dangerous conditionsI can believe that
1. They were forced to exit the highway and stop in a town
2. They voluntarily pulled over when they realized they were in over their heads.
3.They stopped on the side of the highway because it became impassable when they chose to continue driving after being told it was closed and that it wouldn't be plowed.