Posted on 01/25/2005 6:32:30 AM PST by FreeMarket1
IN VIRGINIA: DOUBLE JEOPARDY FOR SPEEDING
Jan 25, 2005 - FreeMarketNews.com
by staff reports
FreeMarketNews.Com, Jan. 25, 2005 - A bill has been introduced into the Virginia House of Delegates that would place an additional penalty on motorists who have received speeding tickets. The bill, cosponsored by two Republicans, Thomas Rust and David Albo, would add so-called “abuser fees.”
A driver convicted of exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph in Virginia, would normally pay a fine of $100 with $50 in court costs, and have their license suspended for 90 days. The new plan would levy an additional $750 in fines on the hapless motorist.
Interestingly Albo, in addition to being a legislator, is also a traffic ticket attorney. The National Motorist Association comments on what would seem to be a clear-cut case of self interest, as opposed to public safety, in regard to his efforts. They state:
“If this measure passes, it will certainly be a win-win for him. When it comes time for re-election, he can claim that he stood.........Full Article www.FreeMarketNews.com
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Turning the police into rolling tax collectors.
My young new driver son got 2 traffic tickets (one for going over speed limit by 5 and the other for not using his turn signal) in Michigan - he paid 150.00 for each - about 6 months later he gets another bill for an additional 100.00 for the tickets he already paid the fines on. One good thing - he is now a much more careful driver - however, isn't this like double jeopardy.
Still not as bad as NC, where +15 mph over the limit (or anything over 80 mph) lands you in a mandatory court appearance. Traffic lawyer's paradise.
"Turning the police into rolling tax collectors."
Yup, that's what it's come to in this country.
This is horsesh*t. 'Abuser Fees'?
This unfortunately continues a trend to turn the nation's highways into just one more vast tax collection apparatus.
I'm living for the day that the radar detector industry will move offshore (don't slame me yet) and then begin marketing devices that will not only detect police radar, but cause the damn systems to literally burn up inside their casing, iow, a 21st century version of ECM for the motorist.
The majority of drivers are careful and conscientious. It is virtually impossible to drive anywhere without exceeding the speed limit at some point. And while this dubious Virginia tax grab 'fee' on speeders might end up being sold to the public, it will result in wholesale voters AGAINST any lawmakers stupid enough to vote for this measure.
The police are becoming just tax collectors with guns.
How important is it to you and to the subsequent posters to have well regulated 'traffic'? Ever wonder why motoring is not a Right but a privilege? Drive legally armed and discover the real balance between Right and privilege. And between 'regulated' and well-regulated.
In my state 'excessive driving offenses' is sufficient to disbar this exercise of your 2A Right.
"Still not as bad as NC, where +15 mph over the limit (or anything over 80 mph) lands you in a mandatory court appearance. Traffic lawyer's paradise."
Oh, Virginia is just as bad. My 17 year old daughter got one for 20 mph over the limit in Virginia. Mandatory court appearance. She hired a lawyer in Virginia to handle the case, since she lives in Ohio. Between lawyer fees, fines, and the mandatory safe driving class, this ended up costing her about $500 and lots of hours. (The lawyer fee was not as bad as it could have been since her aunt knew the lawyer).
That's just bs.
A state delegate who is traffic lawyer seeks stiffer penalties for speeders. (gets more business)
Reminds me of the Tn. State Senator who has two families and introduced child support legislation that favors his situation. (doesn't have to pay full amount).
Government of me, by me and for me.
Is it just me or are more and more so called "Republicans" trying to pass Tax increases under the radar? The recent suggestion by some "Republicans" that SS taxes should be raised (a tax by any other name), to save SS, comes to mind.
OK. Pass the lousy bill. After getting one of these, people will stay home. No driving, no shopping malls. No shopping malls, no sales tax. Economic depression. State looses revenue, fires cops. No more speeding tickets.
Everybody orders from Doctor Delivery. Invest in Doctor Delivery. Make money off stock. Double income and no tickets. Ain't life grand?
Perhaps. But it's a tax you don't have to pay. Just don't speed.
Yeah, they sure are tax happy these days ole Virginny
Anyone know off hand who's responsible for the Satelite TV tax that's coming before the state legislature sometime this year?
Sounds simple enough, but allow me to attest that not speeding here in NoVA is a good way to get squashed like a bug.
But taxing is not the answer to to solve problems. Get the Asian women going under the speed limit out of the left lane is a better start.
And that's why we have to have city stickers in VA.
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