Posted on 02/21/2006 7:31:59 AM PST by getsoutalive
New laws allow some states to tax drivers annually -- even if they live in another state -- simply because they received a speeding ticket. One Connecticut motorist, who asked that his name not be used, discovered this after driving in October in Niagara Falls, New York. Despite being caught in what he considered a brazen speed trap -- the speed limit was 45 MPH where he was caught, but 55 MPH at the same location in the opposite direction -- he accepted the $155 fine for driving 72 MPH thinking by paying the matter would be settled.
Last week, however, the state of New York notified him that it now considers him an "at risk" driver and therefore he must either pay the state an annual $100 tax or a lump sum of $300.
(Excerpt) Read more at thenewspaper.com ...
ping for later
There just aren't enough middle fingers on a single human body to express what my feelings would be to them if I ever got a notice like that.
bump
That's a law waiting for a test case.
It gives new meaning to the term *highway robbery*. Thank you NYS. And polititions can't figure out why people are leaving or not moving here. They're just shooting themselves in the foot with their outrageous legislation. I want out of here sooooo bad.
Agreed. The out of state aspect is outrageous.
Can't the CT driver tell NY to pound sand?
speed trap what a hoot! he was doing at least 75 in the 45. the cop gave him a break by writing the ticket under 75. they should send him another ticket lol.
Thanks for the heads up. I didn't know Michigan also had this "tax". I'm going to have to look this up.
We've got the same thing in Michigan. I got a ticket for not having my proof of insurance ($95 fine). Then I have to pay a "driver's responsibility fee" to the State of Michigan of $200 a year for two years. So my $95 ticket is actually $495! I suppose I'd rather the state get $400 from me this way then have them take $400 from me in more income tax. At least I won't drive without my proof of insurance again!
Uh... DUH!
Just goes to show: FIGHT EVERY TICKET!
I think he should refuse to pay.If this "tax" isn't one that's also levied on residents of the State of New York,I can't see how a Federal court would allow the law to stand.
Taxation without representation?
What are you all griping about? It's only NON-VOTERS in other states who are getting robbed, err, taxed, and after all, it's only to enforce highway safety, for the chillens, and how could you claim that "speeding" laws are just revenue makers.
IMO,the fact that the speed limit was lower on one side of the road than the other doesn't necessarily mean it's a speed trap.It could be due to a curve in the road,a nearby hill,or off-ramp or on-ramp,etc,etc.
But as for the "fine" itself,it's clearly BS.
State government cost must be out of control. I suspect it's the defined benefit pension plans that were sweetened up in the late 1990's / early 2000's during the stock market bubble. Now these plans are underperforming and State's are looking for new sources of revenue anywhere they can, ethical or not, legal or not.
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