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[JCZ]

I ran across this on the net this morning:


How much were you fined the last time you were stopped for speeding? Depending on where you live, the penalty could range from under a hundred bucks to a couple of thousand dollars or more, even for a first offender. All across America, local legislators seemingly have one eye on road safety and the other on cash-strapped coffers. But is it as simple as that? We take a look. And if you haven't been stopped yet, well, lucky you.

States with highest speeding-ticket fines

Drivers caught speeding in the states of Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Nevada and New Hampshire all are liable to be fined up to $1000, at a judge's discretion, for a first-time speeding offense, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The severity of the financial penalty also may depend upon the number of miles above the speed limit when clocked and the number of points on a driver's license, or if the offense occurred near a school or road works. A driver's license may also be suspended, their car impounded, or they may face jail time.

Some states including Michigan, Texas and New Jersey, operate under so-called "driver responsibility" laws, which, in some cases, can result in a further fine of up to $1000 leveled a year after the conviction. Virginia, which until 2008 had some of the strictest penalties for speeders, repealed its driver-responsibility laws last year after a public outcry. Georgia, meanwhile, has just voted to add $200 to the fine of what it terms "superspeeders," who travel more than 10 mph over the speed limit. Other states with fines of up to $500 -- which in many cases is then compounded with additional court fees -- include Maryland, Missouri and Oregon.

Fighting speeding-ticket legislation in Michigan

Under the driver-responsibility fee system, speeders in Michigan face a double charge for their offense, the first issued by a municipality and the second by the state; taking into account various additional fees, both can top $1000. Similar penalty systems are in place for reckless driving and DUIs. The state also annually charges drivers who maintain seven or more points on their license. The 2004 law has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars for state and local coffers, and faces criticism that it entraps low-income drivers in a circle of debt once they've been convicted of speeding. Some also question collection procedures.

State Sen. John Gleason, who is leading the fight in the state legislature to repeal the laws, tells AOL Autos: "We've heard from so many people its horrendous effect on families. They lose their jobs and it impacts their family. Poor people can't get out from under the obligation, $1000 is a tremendous amount of money.

"People make mistakes. Every single one of us has been on a highway, and several have made decisions we wish we could redo. We should not be penalized on our ability to pay."

Calling the issue a "bipartisan one," he says recent efforts to repeal the act have stumbled in the legislature, but he's still hopeful passing a bill that "doesn't include such an awful amount of money." He suggests taking a look at other penalty systems that could be based on drug courts or alcohol-treatment centers.

[JCZ]

The rest of it:


Additional penalties in Georgia

Georgia in May this year passed the so-called "superspeeders" act, which adds $200 to the fine of a driver, caught driving more than 75 mph on two-lane roads and 85 mph or more on freeways. In some counties, speeders are already leveled municipal fines that can add more than $1000 to any ticket. The enhanced state fines are justified, says Bob Dallas of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia, as a deterrent against speeding. He also points out that funds from the statewide speeding program, which begins Jan. 1, 2010, will be put toward trauma care centers across the state. Currently he is organizing a public-awareness campaign around the fines using TV, web and radio ads, electronic roadway signs, and fliers at truck stops and filling stations.

"Every driver who is going to excessively speed on our freeways will be fined $200 extra. If you don't pay, your license will be suspended. We want to make sure the public listens to the message.

"To the average person out there we are one of the regions where people look to make up time [on long road-trips]. It's not a reputation we enjoy, because of the consequences. But there are folks out there who believe that other people are just driving too slowly.

"The goal here is to improve safety. And in addition to saving lives, the proceeds are going to expand trauma care. But if not a single ticket is written, because they can't find anyone speeding, that is the best scenario. We're trying to change the culture of speeding."

Controversy in Virginia

Virginia gained a reputation several years ago for having the most severe speeding laws in the U.S., when it began charging most speeders an additional $1,050 fine on top of its usual $300 fine. Limits for reckless driving were also lowered, with drivers caught at 10 mph above the legal limit liable to be cited for reckless driving, a possibly felony offense where the penalties are more severe. State lawmakers in Virginia expected to raise $60 to $120 million a year through the system, in a bill championed by state legislator Dave Albo. After a strong public reaction, the act was repealed last year.

Albo, a partner in a law firm specializing in traffic offenses, blames misinformation for the law's overturning. He tells AOL: "The problem was the internet got a hold of it, saying that if a driver didn't use the turn signal they'd have to pay $3,000. Most of the stuff posted wasn't accurate. And thousands were writing to their delegates saying, 'I can't believe this.'

"But the bill didn't apply to traffic misdemeanors, it was only if you killed somebody, or a DUI or reckless driving. There was so much misinformation out there. Drunk drivers kill one person a day in Virginia, and speeding is the second cause of injury and death.

"Alongside legislation we need more police; my constituents are always telling me we need more police on the roads."

Richard Diamond, the editor of www.thenewspaper.com, which campaigns on driving issues, says: "Virginia's reckless driving statute says 80 mph is automatic reckless. If you get written up at that speed, you face a charge that is just one step away from a felony. But the state also raised the speed limit on I-85 near the North Carolina border to 70 mph without altering the reckless statute to match. This creates an easy-to-write and very expensive ticket. It's a favorite because the plea bargains make it so the charge is never really challenged in court.

"This was at the heart of the abuser fee debate in Virginia. People were being hit with the $1,050 "reckless" abuser fee for what most people would consider an ordinary infraction. The problem with the reckless statute is [it's] still there."

[rbaker]

Good web site to look at also...........Richard




http://www.speedtrap.org/



 

[JCZ]

In Calif. it's pretty much based on the speed and your previous driving record but not as severe as those listed above (Calif. gets theirs in taxes).

But if you get caught driving a vehicle without insurance (you will get asked for proof of insurance every time they ask for your license), they will impound your vehicle and leave you on the side of the road (or the next off ramp, if it's on a freeway).

The same goes for driving on a suspended license.

And in both cases, they also leave you holding a little piece of paper that you just signed your name to.

If you're charged with "reckless driving" (it can be anything over 20 mph or weaving in and out of traffic)....at the discreation of the officer they may take you to jail and impound the vehicle.

Having said all that.....in Calif. it's not unusual to see the traffic flowing down a freeway at 10 mph over the posted limit sign and the CHP is flowing with everybody.  On some freeways in the bay area and in So Cal it might be 15 mph over the posted speed.

Oh......and any vehicle towing in the state of Calif. is not to exceed 55 MPH.  Yes, as the sign says "trucks and trailers" however, the big rigs get away with going much faster.

[murphy]

Here's a thought, don't speed.

[Hoist!]

Here's a thought, don't speed.

Obligatory anecdote from The Man.

Hoist!

[09S/E roadglide]

sometimes you just gotta get there !!  time is money when you operate a mobile service. Slow drivers are the real hazard on the road. How often do you have to change lanes or vary your speed because of a speeder, not very. but a slow driver....every time. All of this speeding legislation is just to generate revenue and thats the real BULL$HIT !

[murphy]

Obligatory anecdote from The Man.

Hoist!

Someone has to keep the "moral compas" pointing north Hoist!!!

[Keats]

They, (Virginia State police) got me back in November on I81

They hammered me for my 87

That was not cheap, but it was impractical to show up for a hearing.

they sentenced me in my absence.

My weak defense was I traveling down hill with a pile of trucks (18 wheelers, six of them) barreling down the road in the wind swaying back and forth (they were doing 75) and I made a decision that I was safer getting away from them than obey the speed limit. Cop stationed at the bottom of the hill/Mountain. Southern Virginia has pretty good grades.
and 81 is a royal pain with all of the truck traffic, cannot even merge to the right most times.
Does it help if I tell you that I was driving a M5 and that at 87 it is safer than many cars at 65?

That one did cost me.....
87 that car is not even warmed up.

 

[Hoist!]

Someone has to keep the "moral compas" pointing north Hoist!!!

Know that Murph! Was just messin with ya a lil! Somebody's gotta keep the unmoral one pointing S though!!!

Happy New Year man!!!

Hoist!

[martys]

     In September 2007, a new law punishing drivers caught speeding 50 km/h (30 mph ) over the posted limit was introduced throughout Ontario. The law was created to curb the on-going threat of street racing. In the first month, more than 1,300 drivers were caught breaking the new law.  The new law carries stiffest penalties of any speeding ticket in the United States, or Canada. Penalties for driving 50 km/h ( 30 mph ) over the speed limit include, a $2,000 - $10,000 fine, roadside vehicle seizure, and driver's licence suspension for 1 week, and 6 demerit points.  If you're caught driving 50 km/h over the speed limit, your vehicle will be impounded on the spot! You'll be responsible for getting home, and for expensive towing and vehicle storage fees that could be $500 or more, in addition to the already hefty fines.

 September 9, 2009
Stunt driving law ruled unconstitutional since it exponses speeders to possible jail time, without the ability to defend themselves.
September 9, 2009
Street racing law found to be unconstitutional. OPP say they will continue to charge drivers.

Guilty until prooven inocent

[sadunbar]

As of Jan. 1 2010, text messaging while driving is illegal in Illinois!  Hooray!!      About time!!   

A few bikers will live because of this - if it is enforced....   

[OhioDave]

As of Jan. 1 2010, text messaging while driving is illegal in Illinois!  Hooray!!      About time!!   

A few bikers will live because of this - if it is enforced....   

Bout damn time...

[arcticdude]

It's now cheaper to buy a good radar detector and let it fly than take the chance for the ticket.  Had one for a couple of years.  Works very well once you learn it.

[sadunbar]

It's now cheaper to buy a good radar detector and let it fly than take the chance for the ticket.  Had one for a couple of years.  Works very well once you learn it.

I agree...  I have a Valentine in my vehicles... I have not had a single ticket since 1984 (knock on something), and it has saved my a$$ a bunch of times.    But, I have not yet found a satisfactory (waterproof) radar detector for the bike....