VA new speeding ticket tax ...Did this thing pass
07-02-07, 09:23 AM
#1
VA new speeding ticket tax ...Did this thing pass
OMG, Please tell me this thing didnt pass ? If you dont live in VA your missing out on the biggest police state in the country.
New speeding ticket tax that boosts penalties beyond $3550
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)
New speeding ticket tax that boosts penalties beyond $3550
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)
07-02-07, 09:41 AM
#2
I love twins!
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I would be screwed in Virginia! Ouch! This is making me rethink even the possibility of moving to Virginia. I might consider moving back to Florida where you can shoot someone just for stepping on your lawn and get away with it.
07-02-07, 09:41 AM
#3
HOOAH!!
Oh its law apparently and what sucks is that when I lived in Springfield I voted for Albo. Great. Now I am going to have to plan to be on the road even longer just so that I don't become a participant in the financing of Northern Virginia transportation projects.
07-02-07, 11:44 AM
#6
Senior Member
In other words we just gotta succeed and make the rest of virginia look like west virginia.
07-02-07, 12:15 PM
#7
+1. They started it off with this (taken from VAdriven.com)
Everyone might want to pay close attention to their speedometers this week. Its the smooth operator program, where the police get traffic enforcement happy(even more than they normally are). They will mostly be out looking for speeders and drunk drivers.....especially now through the 4th.
They were all over 28 today, pulling over cars left and right.
Other dates for the smooth operator program:
2007 Law Enforcement Waves
July 1 - 7, 2007
August 5 - 11, 2007
September 2 - 15, 2007
Everyone might want to pay close attention to their speedometers this week. Its the smooth operator program, where the police get traffic enforcement happy(even more than they normally are). They will mostly be out looking for speeders and drunk drivers.....especially now through the 4th.
They were all over 28 today, pulling over cars left and right.
Other dates for the smooth operator program:
2007 Law Enforcement Waves
July 1 - 7, 2007
August 5 - 11, 2007
September 2 - 15, 2007
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07-02-07, 12:25 PM
#8
Track junkie
Yeah, I saw that article last week in the post. So, who wants to disagree now that traffic enforcement is almost entirely about revenue generation? They don't care about your safety at all. They just want to throw $11b at road contractors that take forever to do a bad job of building roads that don't improve anything.
If the penalties will be a deterrent from people violating traffic laws, how is the state supposed to collect additional revenue? Also, it only pertains to Virginia residents. A BIG **** you for living in Virginia.
If the penalties will be a deterrent from people violating traffic laws, how is the state supposed to collect additional revenue? Also, it only pertains to Virginia residents. A BIG **** you for living in Virginia.
07-02-07, 01:38 PM
#9
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Effective July 1 in the Commonwealth of Virginia, any traffic ticket,
with the exception of regular speeding, will carry heavy civil remedial
fees (yes, this is a new charge) in addition to the fine and court costs
that you will have to pay.
Here are just a few............
Driving on a suspended or revoked permit - civil remedial fees $750.00
($250.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
Reckless Driving or Aggresive Driving- civil remedial fees $1,050.00
($350.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
DUI - 1st offence - civil remedial fees $2,250.00 ($750.00 in 3 annual
payments), + the court costs & fine.
Pass Two Vehicle Abrieast or Pass at RR Crossing - civil remedial fees
$1050 ($350.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs and fine.
Failure to give proper signal - civil remedial fees $1,050.00 ($350.00
in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
Driving too fast for conditions - civil remedial fees $1,050.00 ($350.00
in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
Fail to stop when entering highway - civil remedial fees $1,050.00
($350.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
Operate Motor Vehicle with below standard tires.- civil remedial fees,
$900.00 ($300.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
"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.
I think this is going to be challenged in court. It looks to me to be unequal justice under the law.
with the exception of regular speeding, will carry heavy civil remedial
fees (yes, this is a new charge) in addition to the fine and court costs
that you will have to pay.
Here are just a few............
Driving on a suspended or revoked permit - civil remedial fees $750.00
($250.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
Reckless Driving or Aggresive Driving- civil remedial fees $1,050.00
($350.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
DUI - 1st offence - civil remedial fees $2,250.00 ($750.00 in 3 annual
payments), + the court costs & fine.
Pass Two Vehicle Abrieast or Pass at RR Crossing - civil remedial fees
$1050 ($350.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs and fine.
Failure to give proper signal - civil remedial fees $1,050.00 ($350.00
in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
Driving too fast for conditions - civil remedial fees $1,050.00 ($350.00
in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
Fail to stop when entering highway - civil remedial fees $1,050.00
($350.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
Operate Motor Vehicle with below standard tires.- civil remedial fees,
$900.00 ($300.00 in 3 annual payments), + the court costs & fine.
"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.
I think this is going to be challenged in court. It looks to me to be unequal justice under the law.
07-02-07, 04:03 PM
#11
Altered Beast
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I honestly wouldn't mind a small additional tax on gas (like 3 cents) to generate revenue if it meant I wouldn't have to drive in constant fear. This way anyone who drives on Virginia roads, regardless of what state they are from, will help pay for them.
07-02-07, 04:29 PM
#12
VA got all those stupidest rules, no one will go to VA now to live, work, or eat. just thinking about you VA people have to wait longer time for food delivery, long time on road. it is interesting if all delivery guys quite their jobs, cuz they can't make enough to pay those fees.
VA sucks.
VA sucks.
07-02-07, 10:27 PM
#13
Seriously, you can drive normal on 66 and see soccermoms in Minivans doing 80+ in a 65. Does that mean they need to be in jail? Thats some bullshit, its even more annoying having to drive slow being stereotyped in a sporty car and having minivans fly up on your *** because they don't give a ****.
07-03-07, 12:23 AM
#15
Terminal Project
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Isn't the judgement supposed to match the crime? 2500 bucks and a year in jail for a speeding ticket sounds like the most outrageous thing I've ever heard.
07-03-07, 02:29 AM
#16
Weird Cat Man
This is especially bad for those that live around the DC metro area, where a large percentage of drivers are from Maryland. It's a double standard that definitely needs to be challenged. I suppose the reasoning is that it would be harder to enforce the annual fees on people from out of state.
07-03-07, 02:34 AM
#17
Weird Cat Man
Virginia is the most fucked up place since France under the German occupation.
OK not really that bad, but working on it.
I flatly refuse to EVER live in VA for these laws (and the previously existing ones which were horrible too).
VA SUCKS ***.
This **** is going to mainly bag moms driving minivans and other "non speeder" types. People that know the penalties will probably be even more likely to try to run now rather than just pull over.
Virginia is the worst state in the USA for tickets/driving offenses.
California is probably the worst for emissions and other BS like that.
OK not really that bad, but working on it.
I flatly refuse to EVER live in VA for these laws (and the previously existing ones which were horrible too).
VA SUCKS ***.
This **** is going to mainly bag moms driving minivans and other "non speeder" types. People that know the penalties will probably be even more likely to try to run now rather than just pull over.
Virginia is the worst state in the USA for tickets/driving offenses.
California is probably the worst for emissions and other BS like that.
07-03-07, 02:39 AM
#18
Weird Cat Man
Keep in mind that nobody was ever hurt due to my driving, and none of these were DUI or other stuff like that... just speeding.
I always joke that Maryland's motto of "The free state" refers to the speeding laws
07-03-07, 06:05 AM
#19
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A few definitions, please
What to they mean by:
Pass Two Vehicle Abreast ?
Fail to stop when entering highway ?
Operate Motor Vehicle with below standard tires?
I'm looking for practical definitions, i.e., what will the cops be looking for?
Pass Two Vehicle Abreast ?
Fail to stop when entering highway ?
Operate Motor Vehicle with below standard tires?
I'm looking for practical definitions, i.e., what will the cops be looking for?
07-03-07, 03:10 PM
#21
Weird Cat Man
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...08000000000000
"Passing two vehicles abreast"
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...0+cod+46.2-856
** To me, this looks like you'd really have be doing something nutty to get this... driving on the shoulder, going down the middle dotted white line, etc **
"Fail to stop when entering highway"
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...0+cod+46.2-821
** This is probably what they are talking about. Not sure how this would differ from a standard "fail to stop at stop sign" ticket.
"Below standard tires"
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp....2-1043+405978
** I had a hard time finding a fit for this, but I would guess that this is aimed at folks running bald/slick tires. Funny thing is that it doesn't seem to say that non-DOT approved tires are illegal (although at that point, I'm sure you're violating some other law that I just didn't find).
If you read enough sections, you will see that the main things to avoid are aggressive driving and reckless driving. The problem is that enforcement of those is subjective. For example, cops can write a 75 in a 55 as "speeding" or "reckless driving". That's a HUGE difference. If you're speeding 65 in a 55 AND changing lanes a lot, and maybe tailgating (welcome to the beltway), you could easily have that be "aggressive driving" or maybe you just get a "fail to use signal"... who knows. It depends on the cop and if he's gotten laid recently...
07-03-07, 03:11 PM
#22
Rotary Nene
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my brother was pulled over a while back for speeding, 65 in a 35, and got 30 days in jail 28 suspended plus a fine.. i think maybe the fine would have been enough considering that it was only his first ticket, but yea VA is getting tougher on speeding violations
07-03-07, 03:17 PM
#23
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The fines are ridiculous, and eliminating them would be the best solution. I just believe that fining Virginia residents a much larger amount makes it seem like they are committing a much more serious offense than an out-of-state driver, just for driving on their own roads (which they are already paying for). Is a reckless driver from Maryland less dangerous than a reckless driver from VA? It makes no sense because its not about safety anymore, its about $$$
07-03-07, 03:18 PM
#24
Weird Cat Man
Yeah I was in Loudoun County court last year on a 70 in a 55 on the Toll Road... perfectly safe, almost 0 traffic, etc... I got a 250-ish fine.
Right before I went up there, a female was charged with 50 in a 35 mph SCHOOL ZONE and she got let off and just told "be more careful".
And... your brother gets 2 days in the clink...and next time, I guarantee you, he'll get much worse since he now has that on his record.
VA is totally unfair in their punishments.
Right before I went up there, a female was charged with 50 in a 35 mph SCHOOL ZONE and she got let off and just told "be more careful".
And... your brother gets 2 days in the clink...and next time, I guarantee you, he'll get much worse since he now has that on his record.
VA is totally unfair in their punishments.