Sign Petition Re: VA Civil Remedial Fees

[?] Are the complaints & petitions working [?]

Read this article with the headline "Virginia Lawmakers May Reconsider New Road Fees".

http://news.wjla.com/news/stories/0607/434977.html

The article also discusses why they are "fees" as opposed to "fines" on "abusive drivers" and why they don't apply to non-Virginians.

I agree that WE NEED BETTER ROADS! However, the onus should not just be put on VA drivers. CYA Kaine -

"I've got to say there were options on the table for financing a system that would have applied to out-of-staters like a gas tax and things like that. The public overwhelmingly didn't want that, the legislature didn't want it, so this was one of a number of items we put on the table to raise funds," said Kaine. Let's get this straight - the legislature didn't want it, I don't remember them asking us if a gas tax was okay - do you? Maybe there was public outcry when Kaine was doing all his Town Hall Transportation meetings - so, guess what VA because you didn't push that a gas tax was okay (which would have gotten money from everyone to include out-of-state vehicles, trucks, etc.) - you are going to be punished in a different way, with very hefty fees. Unless of course you are perfect and don't make any driving mistakes - this is relative and will remain to be seen.

Also, not sure if I read the article correctly that SluDgE gave a link to but the way this is written:

"The 'abusive driver' measures impose "civil remedial fees" paid in three annual installments that could top $1,000 for such offenses as driving under the influence..."

makes it sound as though if you add it up you will only have to pay up to $1,000 if you are hit with the "driving under the influence" fee, no - if you read (7) Fee Schedule in the New Virginia Code 46.2-206-1, item (c) DUI and related offenses the fee you will have to pay will top $2,250 if I calculate it right: $750 x 3. Not that I advocate that anyone should be driving under the influence.

Anyway, can anybody explain to me what 46.2-860 RD - Fail to Give Proper Signal - Misdemeanor (C)2 Misdemeanor 1 means. Does this mean if you already have Reckless Driving, which I assume the "RD" stands for, and don't properly use your turn signal you get hit with this? Or, does it mean that if you get stopped for not using your turn signal properly you get hit with this, no matter what your driving record is? Either way, start using those turn signals all the time!!

A couple of things to consider for those who are in favor of these fines. In general, I agree that the abusive drivers need to be punished. But in terms of the tickets that are issued each year, what percentage do you think goes to the really bad drivers vs just speed traps, cameras, and trickery that are basically targeting the average driver? Think of how easy it is to fall into a speed trap in a 35 zone and you are halfway to getting a 1000 fine.

I just think that when they start hammering the average guy (whether it is him or his teenager) there will be a major backlash.

Here's an article about the new Virginia fees that appeared in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-06-29-Va-new-driving-laws_N.htm?csp=34

quote:

---

Originally posted by sluDgE
[br][?] Why are the fees only applicable to Virginia drivers? [?]

Is there some federal law/regulation that precludes the fees from also being levied on out-of-staters? (From my experience, it seems the worst reckless driving offenders, at least on the Interstates, are drivers with plates on their cars from states north of Virginia.) Can't Virginia allow "equal opportunity" on this and let reckless and dangerous out-of-state drivers contribute, too?

What gives?

---