Speaking of traffic fines

No wonder the truckers call it the Communist state. In my opinion the law
will be overturned in federal court as a violation of the Commerce Clause,
because of different costs to in and out of state drivers.

mike

Virginians Face $3,000 Traffic Ticket
By Dennis Cauchon,
USA Today
Posted: 2007-07-01 15:18:05
Filed Under: Law, Nation
(July 1) - Virginia is for lovers, or so the state slogan has declared since
1969. Starting today, Virginia also will be the home of the $3,000 traffic
ticket. In an effort to raise money for road projects, the state will start
hitting residents who commit serious traffic offenses with huge civil
penalties.

Virginia issued new traffic penalties Sunday charging resident drivers
exhorbitant (sic)fees for severe traffic violations.

Beginning Sunday, Virginia is adding new civil charges to traffic fines.
They range from $750 to $3,000 and will be added to existing fines and court
costs. The civil penalty for going 20 mph over the speed limit will be
$1,050, plus $61 in court costs and a fine that is typically about $200.

The new civil charges range from $750 to $3,000 and be added to existing
fines and court costs. The civil penalty for going 20 mph over the speed
limit will be $1,050, plus $61 in court costs and a fine that is typically
about $200.

Virginia's new traffic penalties are expected to raise $65 million a year
and are part of an effort to improve the state's roads without raising
taxes.

A first-time drunken driver will face a $2,250 civil penalty, plus fines and
court costs that typically run about $500 or more. Driving without a
license? That's a mandatory $900 civil penalty, in addition to the ordinary
$100 for a fine and court costs.

"It's outrageous," says traffic court attorney Thaddeus Furlong of
Springfield, Va. "When Mr. and Mrs. Middle Class find out what they have to
pay, there's going to be a backlash like you've never seen."

Some other states impose extra civil penalties for traffic offenses, but the
cost is usually $100 or $200, Furlong says. "What sets this apart is the
Draconian size of the civil penalties," he says.

Another difference: The civil penalties apply only to Virginia residents,
not out-of-state drivers. Virginians must pay in three installments over 26
months or lose their licenses. The state Legislature didn't think it could
enforce the extra penalties in other states.

Motorist club AAA Mid-Atlantic supports the new penalties.

"These penalties are harsh, but normal fines haven't gotten people to drive
sanely. Maybe this will," says Lon Anderson, spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

He says the new law will help reduce the nearly 1,000 traffic deaths the
state records annually.

"We wish motorists didn't have to pay more, but the fact is Virginia's
transportation trust fund is broke," Anderson says.

Mike Hunter, 7/1/2007,9:54:06 PM, wrote:

> No wonder the truckers call it the Communist state. In my opinion
> the law will be overturned in federal court as a violation of the
> Commerce Clause, because of different costs to in and out of state
> drivers.
>
> mike
>
> Virginians Face $3,000 Traffic Ticket

Well, actually it is the "Commonwealth" of Virginia but you're not far
off the point. I seriously hope this law doesn't stay on the books
long. It seems a bit excessive, especially for a state that has a
billion dollar surplus. Maybe our new Democratic Governor has his
fingers involved in this and managed to twist some arms in the
Legislature.

--
"In general the art of government consists in taking as much money as
possible from one class of citizens to give it to the other." ~ Voltaire