Tax on Tickets?

[dwasson]

From: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/09/971.asp

Driver Responsibility Tax Surprises Out of State Motorist

Driver responsibility taxes turn a single out-of-state speeding ticket into an annual fee.

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.

"Seems to me the low speeding fine was bait for a guilty plea so they could slap this on me a month or two down the road," the motorist explained. "I call that entrapment in the first degree."

Driver responsibility taxes were inspired by the insurance industry practice of turning minor speeding violations into a recurring source of revenue. Though sold as affecting only "bad drivers" like those convicted of driving while drunk or on a suspended license, the extra fees kick in with just a few points on the driving record.

Michigan, New Jersey and Texas also impose this tax, and the idea is spreading. With a 34-6 vote on Friday, the Virginia state Senate approved a "bad driver" tax championed by new governor Timothy M. Kaine (D) that is expected to net $67.2 million in the first year and a total of $401.4 million by 2010. The state House has not yet acted on the measure.

[pantheroc]

What the *#^& (*#^&@$(#%&)#)$)!!! Unbelievable.:shake:

[wsmylie]

These traffic revenue obsessed states and local governments seem to have no shame on this kinda nutty stuff..... if there is even possibly a remote bit of justification for crap like this (doubtful IMHO) it should certainly be limited strictly to those convicted of criminal traffic infractions like DUI, reckless, hit & run, fleeing etc. To "tax" some poor out-of-town dope who just happend to get cited for simple speeding and pays the fine to be rid of it rather than going through the hassle of trying to contest it in some distant jurisdiction seems super unreasonable (in my view anyway). :shake:

[Todd]

I wonder what happens if you dont pay it... If you are from out of state what could they do?

Put you in jail next time you go through that state and get a ticket...???

[rocknrod]

......New laws allow some states to tax drivers annually -- even if they live in another state -- ............and therefore he must either pay the state an annual $100 tax or a lump sum of $300.
........
And what representation do they allow him ?

[Bluerauder]

Driver responsibility taxes turn a single out-of-state speeding ticket into an annual fee.

With a 34-6 vote on Friday, the Virginia state Senate approved a "bad driver" tax championed by new governor Timothy M. Kaine (D) that is expected to net $67.2 million in the first year and a total of $401.4 million by 2010. The state House has not yet acted on the measure.

It took me quite a while to find this little tidbit ... but my 51st District Representative will hear from me today !!! :D I disagree with many of the fees and tax increases in this bill. What happened to the $1.4 Billion surplus from last year that they jammed up our :censor: ?? It took the new Governor about 3 days to slip this little puppy into the legislative calendar. :bs:

This provision is buried down in some 2,000 legislative bills being considered by the Virginia House and Senate. The particular one in question is Senate Bill 708 that has many, many provisions to raise revenue to build roads, fund mass transit, build commuter lots, etc. These provisions call for increases in vehicle registration fees, increase in Motor Vehicle Sales tax, increase in sales taxes on motor vehicle related parts and services, and many other new "fees".

The bad driver fee and annual adjustment is buried way down in the 'S.B. 708 in Section 46.2-206.1. Imposition of certain additional fees on certain drivers; disposition of revenue.' It calls for a flat $200 fee for certain violations in addition to any ticket charge. This applies whether you have a VA license or not.

Moreover, an additional annual fee is assessed on bad drivers who have demerit points assessed on their license. These annual fees start at $400 for 8 points and are graduated up to about $700 for 12 points.

[Hotrauder]

Yikes, those bastages won't be able to resist the FREE money. This insanity will be everywhere. The Insurance Lobby will be spending money like water on legislators to push this thru every State Legislature, pronto. All in the name of traffic safety. :puke: Dennis

[dwasson]

I wonder what happens if you dont pay it... If you are from out of state what could they do?

Put you in jail next time you go through that state and get a ticket...???

I used to live in St Louis and I was working in field service. My territory was eastern MO and south IL. I had gotten a couple tickets in IL but none in MO. One day I got a letter from the state of Illinois telling me that my IL drivers license was suspended. I blew it off at first but then I thought, this means that the next time they catch me they will keep me. I called IL and they confirmed this. I drove very carefully in IL for a few months.

[G-Man]

I wonder what happens if you dont pay it... If you are from out of state what could they do?

Put you in jail next time you go through that state and get a ticket...???

Actually, some states issue a bench warrant for you. I don't think that it carries much weight though.

[Mad1]

Yeah, having a warrant on you isn't much trouble ... until you get into trouble again. Then you go straight to jail ... do not pass go.

I wonder how much it would take to get a "manslaughter" fee in place, you know ... pay a little in advance to the state in case you think you might have to kill someone later. ;)

Mad1
Jeremy

[Joe Walsh]

It took me quite a while to find this little tidbit ... but my 51st District Representative will hear from me today !!! :D I disagree with many of the fees and tax increases in this bill. What happened to the $1.4 Billion surplus from last year that they jammed up our :censor: ?? It took the new Governor about 3 days to slip this little puppy into the legislative calendar. :bs:

This provision is buried down in some 2,000 legislative bills being considered by the Virginia House and Senate. The particular one in question is Senate Bill 708 that has many, many provisions to raise revenue to build roads, fund mass transit, build commuter lots, etc. These provisions call for increases in vehicle registration fees, increase in Motor Vehicle Sales tax, increase in sales taxes on motor vehicle related parts and services, and many other new "fees".

The bad driver fee and annual adjustment is buried way down in the 'S.B. 708 in Section 46.2-206.1. Imposition of certain additional fees on certain drivers; disposition of revenue.' It calls for a flat $200 fee for certain violations in addition to any ticket charge. This applies whether you have a VA license or not.

Moreover, an additional annual fee is assessed on bad drivers who have demerit points assessed on their license. These annual fees start at $400 for 8 points and are graduated up to about $700 for 12 points.


Yeah, this comes from the same State that makes Radar Detectors ILLEGAL, and used to have THREE (Yep...3!!:eek: ) 25 cent Tolls within a 5 mile stretch of I-95 in Richmond.
Two of those tolls were about a 1/2 mile apart! SHEEEZ!:mad:

Hang on folks, because MANY States will embrace this: "Let's rape the non-resident speeders EVEN MORE!"....
It is easy money from someone with no local voting rights and who will find fighting the fines difficult at best.

[jabird56]

Yeah, this comes from the same State that makes Radar Detectors ILLEGAL, and used to have THREE (Yep...3!!:eek: ) 25 cent Tolls within a 5 mile stretch of I-95 in Richmond.
Two of those tolls were about a 1/2 mile apart! SHEEEZ!:mad:

Hang on folks, because MANY States will embrace this: "Let's rape the non-resident speeders EVEN MORE!"....
It is easy money from someone with no local voting rights and who will find fighting the fines difficult at best.

Now they have a $2 dollar 5 mile long toll road between Norfolk and the NC border, happens to be the only road going that way.