I saw this the other day, what do you all think?
**sorrry about all the retarded links, copy and paste doesn't work too well with "SU"***
Published: 06.29.2007
Virginia to be home of $3,000 traffic ticket
By DENNIS CAUCHON
USA Today
Virginia is for lovers, or so the state slogan has declared since 1969. Starting Sunday, Virginia also will be the home of the $3,000 traffic ticket.
In an effort to raise money for road projects, the state will start hitting residents who commit serious traffic offenses with huge civil penalties.
The new civil charges will range from $750 to $3,000 and be added to existing fines and court costs. The civil penalty for going 20 miles per hour over the
speed limit will be $1,050, plus $61 in court costs and a fine that is typically about $200.
A first-time drunk driver will face a $2,250 civil penalty, plus fines and court costs that typically run about $500 or more. Driving without a license? That's a mandatory $900 civil penalty, in addition to the ordinary $100 for a fine and court costs. The civil penalties apply only to Virginia residents, not out-of-state drivers.
Virginia's changes are some of several thousand new state laws that take effect Sunday. July 1 is popular for new taxes and fees because it's the start of the budget year in 46 states. Arkansas will cut its
salestax on groceries from 6 percent to 3 percent Sunday.