posted Mar 21, 2010, 10:55 AM by VW Rob Alexander
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 4:22 PM
Subject: New Virginia Speeding Fines
New VA Speeding Fines
Pass this on. In short 10-15 mph over the posted speed limit is now
$3,500 (after a new points tax that was introduced). So if you are
doing 65mph on I64/I264 you may want to think about doing the posted
speed if you aren't already.
Here is the link
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1818.asp
Virginia Introduces $3550 Speeding Ticket Virginia legislator introduces
new speeding ticket tax that boosts penalties beyond $3550, driving
business to his traffic law firm.
Virginia 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.
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
<http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/03/362.asp> 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. Update: View which legislators support a repeal, link to
online petition <http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/18/1880.asp> .
Source: PDF FileCivil Remedial Fees
<http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/2007/va-drivertax.pdf> (Executive
Secretary, Virginia Supreme Court, 6/21/2007)
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