by logicalx

This is one more thing to throw on top of my list of things that makes me lose faith in politicians.... Well... Not as if it really takes all that much to do so anyway. I remembered this story from a while back and thought I would give my thoughts on the matter.

I have had a speeding ticket or two in my time and I certainly don't find it to be a pleasant experience. I can say that I learned my lesson for the most part so it's not often that I ever go much more than 5 m.p.h. over the speed limit at any time. If I remember correctly my first speeding ticket was about 125.00 for going 13 over in a 25 m.p.h. zone. The limit was only posted maybe once for several miles and I was not familiar with the area. At the time I had just gotten my drivers license and it was a thrill just to be able to get out on my own. I had saved up some money to get clothes for school but suddenly all that was gone. Well.. I'm sure that everybody knows speeding tickets just suck.....

I agree that getting a fine for breaking a law is understandable but there comes a time when it can just be ridiculous. Just as with this bit of legislature that would have boosted traffic fines in Virginia as high as $3000.00 . Personally I can say that three thousand dollars is a big chunk of money to come up with for just about any normal person. I know it would seriously hurt my wallet having to fork over 3k for speeding. Then on top of the big fine a BIG raise on your insurance bill. Their excuse for the law is to generate revenue for the state but honestly I thought thats really what taxes were for?¿ To me this is just another effort for the government to squeeze every dollar back out of the people that they can get. Obviously.... If cops wanted to stop people from speeding hey would park right out in plain view and deter people from speeding in the first place rather than hiding behind things to catch them.

A politician making over 100k or more a year wouldn't have too much trouble coming up with $3000, but someone making about $1000 a month may. That could mean the difference between having a place to live or keeping your drivers license. That being another one of my philosophies which is:

"Not many politicians know what its like to choose between buying food or gas to get to work. "

"Virginia motorists convicted of minor traffic violations will face a new, multi-year tax beginning July 1. Led by state Delegate David B. Albo (R-Springfield), lawmakers slipped a driver responsibility tax into a larger transportation funding bill signed by Governor Tim Kaine (D) in April. Albo, a senior partner in the Albo & Oblon, LLP traffic law firm, can expect to see a significant increase in business as motorists seek to protect their wallet from traffic tickets that come with assessments of up to $3000 in addition to an annual point tax that tops out at $700 a year for as long as the points remain.

"The purpose of the civil remedial fees imposed in this section is to generate revenue," the new law states. (Virginia Code 46.2-206.1)

Driving as little as 15 MPH over the limit on an interstate highway now brings six license demerit points, a fine of up to $2500, up to one year in jail, and a new mandatory $1050 tax. The law also imposes an additional annual fee of up to $100 if a prior conviction leaves the motorist with a balance of eight demerit points, plus $75 for each additional point (up to $700 a year). The conviction in this example remains on the record for five years.

Other six-point convictions include "failing to give a proper signal," "passing a school bus" or "driving with an obstructed view." The same $1050 assessment applies, but the conviction remains on the record for eleven years.