Posted on 06/27/2007 11:35:12 AM PDT by bad company
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.
"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)
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.
Other six-point convictions include "failing to give a proper signal," "passing a school bus" or "driving with an obstructed view." The same $1050 assessment applies, but the conviction remains on the record for eleven years.
Although the amount of the tax can add up quickly, the law forbids judges from reducing or suspending it in any way. The tax applies only to Virginia residents, so that out-of-state motorists only need to pay the regular ticket amount. Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Texas also impose a somewhat more modest driver responsibility tax which they apply to out-of-state residents.
The Virginia Supreme Court provides a full explanation of the new penalties for each traffic infraction in the 34k PDF file at the source link below.
Eh. If it stops people from changing lanes without signaling—which it probably will—it makes the road safer for me. I’m fine with that.
Well, I don’t do that anyway.
My point is that eventually it feels like it’s gonna be illegal to pick your nose without a fine. Where does it end?
It’s about time for a revolution.
“Public Servants” at work...
“I lived in rural Virginia for years and I’ve logged a lot of miles on 81. There are a lot of unsafe drivers out there, and that endangers me every time I get on the road.”
Me too. And most of those drivers come from out of state. This really sucks. We need to fry those bastards in the GA.
Increase the speed limit to a reasonable 80 in non-residential areas and pass a law statewide that regulates variations in posted speed limits (i.e. speed traps) and you got yourself a deal, Virginia.
insanity in our government at every level.....”love of money is the root of all evil”. they can steal your land and rob you blind.....
counties are using these tickets to generate revenue too. go ahead and think these are fair because no one should speed but it is actually very easy to get a ticket with predatory speed traps in areas that having changing speed limits.
i predict that this law will result in an increase in bankruptcies too...if you are living on the edge of a financial cliff and have a bad day and get a ticket....you could be pushed right over.
Apparently the Commonwealth felt the existing revenue was insuficient to line their coffers. From the above article:"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)
Thank you for the post.....I sent the article to my son who is in Quantico VA and thankfully moving home on Monday....hope he does not get a ticket between now and then....
How is this even remotely similar? There is a big difference between a law that punishes behavior that is dangerous to the community and a law that punishes behavior that is not socially dangerous. Your example, for instance, is behavior that has no impact on the community. A law that requires motorists to stop for children getting off school buses, on the other hand, exists to ensure that children don't get run over by a guy in the car who is too impatient to wait ten seconds while a kid walks to his door.
Or maybe you think that is a "bad" law. Do you agree or disagree with a law that requires motorists to stop for children embarking/disembarking school buses? If you agree that a law is warranted, then shouldn't the penalty for a violation of the law be sufficient to deter people from breaking the law?
“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 ...”
Albo is corrupt and belongs behind bars. Politicians are mostly sleazy but Albo is one of the worst I have ever seen. I wonder what the @ss hats who elected him think?
Amen to all points. A very relevant thread was posted earlier on the lack of infrastructure.
Once again, I live in Los Angeles. Try 75MPH in bumper to bumper 5 feet apart in 100 degree heat and horns blowing all the way to work. My point was if there’s a 15mph spread acceptable (i.e. “as little”), what’s the point of a speed limit at all? It’s just stupid. Do I think traveling 85mph is stupid? Yep.
You have never done 70 in a 55?
I’d call you a liar that never inhaled.
“up to one year in jail”
Does that make it a felony? Is this an effort to disenfranchise the electorate, or is VA one of those states where felons can vote?
No wonder we’ve got so many people in jail. In Vt, you can commit rape of a minor for years on end, and get a 60 day sentence, while speeders rot in jail for a year.
It’s scary, soon there will be no place safe from an overbearing government.
I’ll have to bring that up to Arlington County. There should be some support for the illegals. We give them our car tax reimbursement from the state as it is. The Arlingtom Way is to take what you can get, take some more and redistribute it to the less fortunate.
In your Dodge Astro Van...ABSOLUTELY!! : )
Not in my Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 se
In the slow lane. 400 was blithely doing 90 the other day. I actually thought it was impressive.
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