The West Virginia Turnpike allowed thousands of drivers to pass through toll free the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The effort was designed to help keep traffic backups and accidents to a minimum on the year's heaviest travel day.

About 10,000 vehicles got a free ride through at least one of the turnpike's three toll barriers, Greg Barr, acting deputy general manager at the turnpike, said. It cost the state about $13,000 in lost revenue but prevented anger and accidents.

The holiday policy allows turnpike officials to open the tolls for 15 minutes any time the line backs up to three miles, the length it takes drivers about 15 minutes to wait through. After the 15-minute period ends, officials can determine whether the line is dispersed or if another 15-minute period is needed.

Barr said the turnpike also opened the tolls at other times, when warranted.

"It's basically a fiduciary responsibility that we collect tolls, so (opening tolls) has to be done with a great amount of discretion," Barr said. "It's a matter of safety to the travelers and the extreme inconvenience would be a detriment to the state."

Tolls were free for seven 15-minute periods Dec. 1, Barr said.
-By Keith Goble, staff writer