I’ve never been a fan of driving in Virginia. The phenomenon described in this Liberty Post article doesn’t do anything to ease my lack-of-fondness
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. [...]
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.
At least the bill is honest. Speed laws have often been criticized as being stealthy ways to generate revenue for a state or local jurisdiction, rather than being a means to promote safety on the roads. However the bill mentioned appears to be rather honest about its intent:
“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)
You would think that with fines and annual assessments that high, the state would drop its ban of radar/lidar detectors, if only to be sporting.
Perhaps Virginia legislators should have had a meeting with Bostonians about the merits of having traffic tickets that exceed the value of the cars being driven.
1 response so far ↓
1 J. R. Roberts // 23 Jul 2007 at 11:34 am
I’ve never been to Virginia but with the state lending itself to extortion through speeding tickets, I’ll make sure I avoid the state at all costs and take my tourist money elsewhere. If a private company were to levy “fees” of this magnitude, the Feds would be all over them. If Virginia is that hard up for $$$’s, then perhaps they should start trimming the legislature’s salaries, starting with a governor that would approve this ‘highway robbery!’ OOPS, sorry, I guess its OK if the state says the state of Virginia can become a thief!