Posted on 10/09/2007 8:22:49 AM PDT by freespirited
Virginia Republican leaders defended the controversial abusive-driver fees that level high-priced tickets for excessive speeding, drunken driving and other violations while vowing to add out-of-state drivers to the plan to make it more fair during a campaign stop in Manassas.
“The abuser fees are working,” Republican House Speaker William Howell said of the fines of up to $1,000 a year for three years for traffic offenses. “Democrats want to give [abusive] drivers a free pass.”
Some driving violations are down 20 percent because drivers are mindful of the new reforms, Howell said, adding the tickets make for safer, better-funded roads. The GOP lawmakers said they were working on ways to extend the policy to cover drivers passing through the state.
But Democrats continued to blast the fees for locals or visitors.
“Trying to solve our transportation problems with $1,000 speeding tickets is just another example of him not willing to look at real solutions,” said Mark Bergman, spokesman for the House Democratic Caucus.
The jockeying occurred as Republican and Democratic leaders made a concentrated pitch for votes in Northern Virginia’s battleground seats Monday.
Gov. Tim Kaine stumped for three candidates in conservative districts by touting transportation programs and energy policy.
“It’s time for the legislature in Richmond to step up and pass a comprehensive energy plan that protects Virginia’s natural landscape and reduces our dependence on foreign oil,” Kaine said.
Meanwhile, Republican leaders showed support for Prince William County’s proposed crackdown on illegal immigration and promised the state’s help.
“We may not be able to secure our borders, but we can ensure we are not awarding more services to illegal immigrants,” Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said.
Democrats haven’t been willing to come up with ideas on issues like public safety, Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell said.
“The Democratic Party has become a do-nothing party,” Bob McDonnell said during a stop in Manassas. “I can’t tell you one major reform the Democratic Party came out with.”
Should do wonders for Virginia's tourism industry.
/s
This is nothing new. Any traveler knows that Virginia is VERY tough on traffic infractions.
I even made up a game driving into Virginia counting the State police cars near the borders on I95.
From SE Florida to SE Pa, there were more police there in Virginia than every other State combined.
Don’t speed. No big deal.
Is it any wonder why Virginia is going to be dark blue by the end of this decade? What kind of “Republican” would support these kinds of fees?
No wonder the Democrats keep winning in Virginia.
If you think I-95 is bad, you really ought to check out I-81. The troopers there are as thick as fleas....
No speeding laws, no problem... No need for over paid meter maids either cops would be fighting real crime instead of giving you a $1000 ticket for not wearing your seat belt.
Well fed fleas at that......
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
They’re about to hang themselves.
Better
Enforcement of existing laws and a sometimes harsh and quick penalty for those breaking the laws are a hallmark of Conservative thought.
“Obedience of the law is demanded; not asked as a favor.”
I think Virginia is a bit overboard, but they have a right to enforce their own laws and for those who would like no speed laws at all, well you are exactly why there are such laws.
Its not a biggie anyway. Just don't speed in Virginia.
Big deal.
Or please let me know when you are going to do 90 - 100 mph in my area so I can keep my family off of the roads.:)
Actually, I wish the Federal Government would take that approach to the "invasion of illegals" who will destroy American culture.
Obedience of the law is demanded; not asked as a favor.
- Theodore Roosevelt
Also, don’t forget that my beloved home state of Virginia is the ONLY state in the country that still bans the use of radar detectors. If they catch you with one, they’ll write you a ticket for it and confiscate it.
The Democrats are against these egregious “fees” and the Republicans are for them? Did I fall through the looking glass? $3,000 in EXTRA fines (paid to the DMV) over and above the legal penalties on the books, for just speeding 21 mph over the speed limit...and the “small-government” party is FOR this? What the hell?
}:-)4
Maybe they should raise the fine for riding without a seat belt to $1,000 too. And if you have 3 cracks in your windshield...
It is about money. If the money source dries up, more infractions will be created.
The farther north you go in Va, the faster people tend to drive. People around DC are insane.
Jesus, you have that right!
I plan driving so as to go through there on off peak hours only.
I watched a heavy equipment rig smash into the center concrete barrier and dump a front end loader into the I95 front of me on the outer loop.
Maybe, but we don’t have to speed and give them our money.
and don’t give them more ideas about those damn seatbelts! :)
It's not just the troopers, either. I got popped by a local cop three miles orth of the NC state line a few years back. I have no doubt there are small towns, and maybe counties, near the state line that raise their entire annual budget on I-95.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.