Virginia's new $3,550 speeding penalty

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1818.asp

Virginia legislator introduces new speeding ticket tax that boosts penalties beyond $3550, driving business to his traffic law firm.


Delegate AlboVirginia 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.

Source: PDF File Civil Remedial Fees (Executive Secretary, Virginia Supreme Court, 6/21/2007)

Picked this up from BF.C.


I'm never going to Virginia.

[ec437]

Just another reason Virginia sucks.... jokes on them.

[GForce957]

Mother of God

[Damien]

Glad I moved away and now I'm staying away. How d@mn that's insane!

[ericn1300]

doesn't pass the smell test, how did this stinker get by the Govenor?

[speediva]

Damn, I'm glad that this starts July 1... cause this afternoon could have been ugly otherwise.

[beef_bourito]

wow all that for doing 15 over on an interstate? that's crazy. here you won't even get pulled over for doing 15 over on a freeway

[jcsaleen]

Ha, Lets see them try that shit in N.Y and watch how fast the people go up in arms lmao. On L.I ~ Where it says 55 you DO 70 on the highway or the cops will most likely give you a hard time. In the time I have been on L.I.E and northern state I don't think I have ever seen a car do the speed limit unless it was blaitently shitting out, Something broken or highly illegal in it.

[03cavPA]

Originally Posted by beef_bourito

wow all that for doing 15 over on an interstate? that's crazy. here you won't even get pulled over for doing 15 over on a freeway

heh. You do less than 15 over in some places around here, and you'll likely cause an accident by going too slow.

[sickcallawayc12]

What the fuck? I understand the idea, but Jesus. Way too extreme. I wonder how much their population is gonna decline as long as that is in effect.

[Damien]

I'm lovin' Fla. I4 speed limit i 75 as it is and most of the time, with the flow of traffic, I end up going 85-90.

[2.2 Straight six]

i like our M6 toll road.

completely smooth, very long, deserted at night.

[blindside.AMG]

I just got my first speeding ticket ever like a month ago. And then 3 weeks later I got my second. Thank GOD I don't live in VA!!!

Although I may still be screwed. Work isn't gonna like this one bit.

[Shpyder]

Wow...looks like CA has some competition in terms of legal lunacy regarding auto and traffic laws.

[fredjacksonsan]

There's now a web-based petition to remove the laws. Check out at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/va3202/

If you're a VA resident, it's to your advantage to participate.

I live in VA and this is simply a revenue enhancement tool. F'in gov't.