[Infowarrior] - FW: VA Drivers Beware!

[Richard Forno]

(kind of local for many of you readers, and hence why I'm passing it
along......rf)


Hefty Fees In Store for Misbehaving Va. Drivers

By Tom Jackman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, June 23, 2007; A01

Attention Virginians: The cost of bad driving is about to go up. Way up.

Say you are driving 78 mph on the Capital Beltway and a state trooper
tickets you for "reckless driving -- speeding 20 mph over." You will
probably be fined $200 by the judge. But then you will receive a new,
additional $1,050 fine from the Old Dominion, payable in three convenient
installments. So convenient that you must pay the first one immediately, at
the courthouse.

First-time drunk driver? A $300 fine from the judge and a $2,250 fee from
the commonwealth.

Driving without a license? Maybe a $75 fine. Definitely a $900 fee from
Virginia.

As part of the plan to fund the annual $1 billion transportation package
approved this year, state legislators endorsed a new set of "civil remedial
fees" for all misdemeanor and felony traffic violations, such as speeding 20
mph above the limit, reckless driving and, in some cases, driving with
faulty brakes. Drivers with points on their licenses -- a speeding ticket
usually earns four points -- will be hit for $75 for every point above eight
and $100 for having that many points in the first place.

The new fees will go into effect July 1, and defense attorneys, prosecutors
and judges expect chaos. Court clerks fear having to deal with angry hordes
learning about the fees for the first time at the payment window.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/22/AR2007062201
781_pf.html