Don't get a traffic ticket in VA!

[NJ H2]

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. :eek:
But if you do get a ticket make sure to post the details so I can laugh at you! :fdance: :clapping: :D

[dеiтайожни]

sux2baspeederinva

[K9sH3]

You two hush!!! I am heading there in the morning... Nope, Don't say it Dei!

:beerchug:

[ChiHummer3]

:eek: Those fines are INSANE!!!!

[jmsspratlin]

Also heard that they are requiring children up to 9 years of age to be restrained in a booster seat/ car seat. I agreee with saftey, but that seems a bit old.....Jamie

[Mr_Pat]

The new state "driver abuser" fees going into law July 1 for Virginia drivers must be paid every year for three years. The three-year total assessment include:

Felony DWI: $3,000

Vehicular manslaughter: $3,000

Felony failure to signal: $3,000

Felony speeding above 80 MPH: $3,000

Misdemeanor DWI $2,250

Misdemeanor failure to signal: $1,050

Attempting to elude police: $900

Driving without insurance: $900

Driving with a suspended license: $750

06/28/2007
Virginia rolls out the $3,550 speeding ticket
By: John H. Arundel

This 4th of July weekend, Northern Virginia motorists will take to the roads for beach excursions, backyard picnics and patriotic partying. But don't speed, and definitely don't drink and drive, because hefty "abuser fees" await the lead-footed motorists at the courthouse.
In Virginia, new laws go on the books next week aimed at curbing highway speeding and drinking and driving. Virginia motorists convicted of traffic violations will face a new, multi-year tax beginning July 1 with assessments of up to $3,000 in addition to an annual point tax that tops out at $700 a year for as long as the points remain.


The new so-called "driver responsibility tax" was slipped into the state's massive transportation funding bill by state Del. David B. Albo (R-Springfield). It was signed into law by Gov. Tim Kaine (D) in April to pay for more than $1 billion in state road improvements.

"The purpose of the civil remedial fees imposed in this section is to generate revenue [for state road improvements]," the new law states. The new fines could cause financial hardships on Virginia motorists, especially those earning below $30,000 per year, civic activists say.

Driving as little as 15 mph over the limit on an interstate highway will now bring six license demerit points, a fine of up to $2,500, up to one year in jail, and a new mandatory $1,050 tax.

The new 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). A conviction would remain on the record for five years.

First-time drunk drivers can expect a $300 fine at the courthouse and a $2,250 fee from the state. Driving without a license might bring a $75 fine, but definitely a $900 fee from the commonwealth.

Drivers who already have points on their licenses (speeding tickets usually earns four points) will be hit for $75 for every point above eight and $100 for having those points in the first place.

Six-point convictions include such infractions as passing a school bus, failing to give a proper signal or driving with an obstructed view. The $1,050 assessment applies, but those convicted stay on a driver's record for 11 years.

While the amount of the tax can add up, the law issued by the State Supreme Court forbids judges from reducing or suspending the state fines in any way.

"People were overwhelmingly saying 'fix traffic problems,'" Kaine said in a call-in show Tuesday on WTOP Radio. "It takes money to do it."

The new tax applies only to Virginia residents; out-of-state motorists pay the regular ticket amount.

Standard traffic infractions, such as low-level speeding and running a stop sign, do not carry the fees. The state courts posted the fees and eligible offenses this month.

Legislators like Albo and Del. Thomas D. Rust (R-Fairfax), the co-sponsor of the fee legislation, say that as much as $65 million to $120 million will be raised annually to cover roadway improvements and other maintenance issues like pothole repair, snow-plowing and grass-mowing.

In Virginia, drivers can pay the fee in installments over a three-year period. After the first third is levied and paid at the courthouse, the other two are expected to be billed by the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Other new driver laws are aimed squarely at underage drinking and driving. One widely broadens an old law and makes it illegal to provide or assist in providing someone under the age of 21 with alcohol. It also makes it a misdemeanor for someone underage to drink or attempt to drink any alcoholic beverages.

The other law increases the penalty those who purchase, provide or assist in providing alcohol to someone who is underage. Beyond the penalties set in court, the law now says anyone found guilty can have his driver's license suspended for up to a year.

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:
:OWNED:

[Steve - SanJose]

VA is off my list of places to visit, for good.

[RuggedH2]

What the hell is Felony failure to signal? :confused:

Felonies and misdemeanors require a culpable mental state. Traffic violations are generally infractions that don't require a mind set.

[tanklizard]

The new tax applies only to Virginia residents; out-of-state motorists pay the regular ticket amount.

Glad I don't live there.

[h2co-pilot]

Also heard that they are requiring children up to 9 years of age to be restrained in a booster seat/ car seat. I agreee with saftey, but that seems a bit old.....Jamie

Ya think? I lmao when I think of them strapped in a booster seat with their feet on the floor.:giggling:


So....anyone wanna come for a visit? :D

[Agriv8r]

drive by the rules and you dont have to worry...

[frenzy1]

those are some crazy fines !

[ChiHummer3]

drive by the rules and you dont have to worry...

In other words......don't do what Paris did. ;)

[Steve - SanJose]

drive by the rules and you dont have to worry...

What fun is that? F that.

[KenP]

I'm not worried about it, I haven't had a moving violation since '89.:dancingbanana:

Hell, we've got to pay for the new roads one way or another.

[h2co-pilot]

In other words......don't do what Paris did. ;)

:jump:

[KenP]

Update:

You'd Better Be Wealthy if You're a Fast, Reckless Driver in Virginia

Thursday, July 19, 2007
By Kelley Beaucar Vlahos
http://www.foxnews.com/images/foxnews_story.gif

E-MAIL STORY (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290040,00.html#)
RESPOND TO EDITOR (politics@foxnews.com)
PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION (http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,290040,00.html)
WASHINGTON ? Local cops and state troopers have become the new tax collectors in Virginia.
That's one complaint from opponents of a new state law that went into effect July 1 to raise fines on traffic violations to as much as seven times their previous levels.

Excessive speeding ? or even driving with under-inflated tires ? could cost you more than $1,000 under the new law.

"You're turning the police into tax collectors with guns ? it's the wrong message," said Del. Bob Marshall, a Republican in the Virginia House of Delegates who opposed the legislation. "That's why this thing has to go."
Virginia politicians typically avoid tax hikes like the plague, so to pay for $65 million in new road and transportation projects, they have increased fines for traffic violations to levels never seen by most Americans.

Supporters say the intention of the law was not to target "soccer moms" or first-time offenders, only the very worst drivers. But the backlash in Virginia has been swift. By Thursday, more than 130,000 people signed onto an online petition calling for the law's repeal.

[DRTYFN]

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. :eek:
But if you do get a ticket make sure to post the details so I can laugh at you! :fdance: :clapping: :D

I thought you were going to say you got tricked into taking the "breathalyzer" again.:giggling:

[Steve - SanJose]

Update:

And in VA, how are they pissing away the gas tax revenue?

[K9sH3]

This is what I like, ONLY VA drivers are subject to those fines. So me with a FL DL and address will only have to face the normal fine and not that added on BS.
So anyone want to use my address for there license??

:beerchug:

[Steve - SanJose]

So this is not bad for VA tourism?

[mountainbiker]

I am from Virginia Beach, and traveled 64 and 95 regularly. (And, still hold my VA Driver's License.) In the old days, it seemed the VA cops were lenient on VA speeders. On 95, it always seemed like the had an out-of-state plate pulled over. If this latter was an accurate view, wouldn't this new crazy law possibly shift this to pulling over more VA drivers? Also, I am curious what keeps them from trying to hit non-VAers with these crazy amounts? [After being accustomed to the Autobahn, I am am going to be fearful next week when I am home for my 10-days of home leave.]

[KenP]

I am from Virginia Beach, and traveled 64 and 95 regularly. (And, still hold my VA Driver's License.) In the old days, it seemed the VA cops were lenient on VA speeders. On 95, it always seemed like the had an out-of-state plate pulled over. If this latter was an accurate view, wouldn't this new crazy law possibly shift this to pulling over more VA drivers? Also, I am curious what keeps them from trying to hit non-VAers with these crazy amounts? [After being accustomed to the Autobahn, I am am going to be fearful next week when I am home for my 10-days of home leave.]Send us a PM when you get here and we'll take you to dinner.:beerchug:

I agree with you on who's being pulled over. The tourists are easy because they're less likely to contest the officer in court.

[Wisha Haddan H3]

The drinking/driving fines make sense ... it's about time they got more than a slap on the wrist. But the rest is BS. Why search for drugs and contraband when they can check your tire pressure and fine you $1000, wtf!!!

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Driving as little as 15 mph over the limit on an interstate highway will now bring six license demerit points, a fine of up to $2,500, up to one year in jail, and a new mandatory $1,050 tax.

Jailtime for speeding hardly generates revenue :twak:

[NEOCON1]

What the hell is Felony failure to signal? :confused:

Felonies and misdemeanors require a culpable mental state. Traffic violations are generally infractions that don't require a mind set.


thats some crazy $hit man :confused: :confused:

would suck to live there :popcorn:

[KenP]

What the hell is Felony failure to signal? :confused:

Felonies and misdemeanors require a culpable mental state. Traffic violations are generally infractions that don't require a mind set.I think you'd get that along with Reckless Driving, DUI, Failure to Yield, Fleeing, stuff like that.

Doesn't matter to me, I always signal.:D

[Steve - SanJose]

Never have a reason to go to VA anyway.

[K9sH3]

I think you'd get that along with Reckless Driving, DUI, Failure to Yield, Fleeing, stuff like that.

Doesn't matter to me, I always signal.:D

Yeah me too..... lol

[2-H2's]

Somebody gotta a ticket in VA...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/11/AR2007081101352_pf.html

:giggling:

[Agriv8r]

drive by the rules and you dont have to worry......is there an echo in here??

[mountainbiker]

I just got back from visiting Virginia. I kept the needle within about 5 over. I was surprised at how many people were overtaking and undertaking. Can you just imagine a big ol' speed trap, and how many $$$ they score?

There were even a few of those fools -- you know those 2 or 3 guys who like to weave through traffic -- that think they are race car drivers. I guess these particular VA tagged drivers have more money than sense.

In my 10 day visit, I did see 4 cars total pulled over: 3 on the Dulles Airport access road and 1 on 95.

[mdoyle]

From reading the article it only applies to VA residents, WTF? I've never heard of a traffic fine system that treats residents differently, especially giving out-of-staters a break, usually it's the opposite.

The fine for eluding an officer is lower than speeding? That makes no sense under any ethical doctrine and clearly points the fine schedule in the direction of money-grabbing instead of it's proper function as a deterrent.

[KenP]

That makes no sense under any ethical doctrine and clearly points the fine schedule in the direction of money-grabbing instead of it's proper function as a deterrent.That's exactly why the fees were upheld in court yesterday. They are explicitly for raising money.

Four other states have the same type of laws.

On the plus side for out-of-towners, even if your state has reciprocity with VA, it doesn't apply because they "fines" are deemed to be "fees", thus they are a civil matter and don't fall under the reciprocity requirements.

[Agriv8r]

DRINK RESPONSIBLY.....