Is fining $3000 for a speeding ticket even justified at all?
Recently the state of Virginia imposed extremely heavy fines for speeding which go up to $3000. And also, those fines do not apply to out of state motorists driving in Va. They call it civil remedial fees. My question is how in the world is $3000 fine for speed ticket even justified at all? And its not for just repeat offenders. It could be that its your first time you're speeding and you can still get $3000 fine. Secondly, the speed limits also seem to be artificially low -- like 55 on interstate highways where the flow of traffic is often in excess of 70 mph. The overwhelming majority of Virginians are against such outrageous fines but the politicians do not seem to care. I think its also unconstitutional because same penalty if committed by out of state resultes in $100 but $3000 for the in-state resident. Isn't this an abuse of power by politicians and police? I feel it has nothing to do with traffic safety but is only intended to raise revenue and money for state.
Answers:
It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL because it violates the 14th amendment when out of state motorists are not paying the same fine for the same offense. "All men are created equal" was said by Thomas Jefferson. You have to balance and respect the constitution before you can say if its good to fine the speeders. I don't think many answerers get that concept. There are lawsuits being prepared against this kind of legislation and this is bound to go all the way to the supreme court simply because out of state violator is excluded.
Fortunately these heavy fines are only imposed upon locals. If you are from out of state the fines are "normal".
sounds kinda steep!
I like these fines. I think it will help reduce fatalities on the road. Plus, I would go a step further. If you are convicted of rape, you should have to pay $100,000 fine. And the money can be used to track all felons that are released from jail after their sentence by GPS. And criminals should have this GPS on their ankles until their $100,000 is paid. Robbery = $50,000. Shop Lifting = $5000. Idetity Fraud = $25,000. In order for you to get a $3000 fine in traffic, you have to drive like a maniac anyways. If you go 15 over the speed limit, you are not facing a huge fine. Just a warning to slow down and obey the law. It may save your life one day. Why is everyone in a hurry on the road anyways?
It's alot of money, your right. I too, wouldn't want to pay it, so don't speed. It's that simple.
think about, if you get a ticket for that much, what are the chances of doing again. i would think slim to none. It will save lives.
I think a state should profit when somebody breaks the law. And that's what speeders are doing, breaking the law.
Slow down, speed kills
I don't know. I'd say it depends on how much you're speeding. If you're driving something like 50 over the limit, then $3000 certainly sounds a lot better than jail. If they're doing it for minor speeding, though, then it's obviously really just a "driving tax" rather than any sort of real justice.
Personally, I like the European system of fining traffic violators much better. If you get convicted of something in Germany, they fine you an amount based on your level of income rather than some arbitrary X number of dollars. So if you're a laborer living in a slum and barely making ends meet, the fine may be $20. If you're a well-off doctor or business executive living in a mansion, you could be fined $10,000. And everybody in between is treated accordingly. It still rakes in revenue for the government, but at least it truly makes the punishment fair for everybody regardless of whether they're rich, poor, or middle class.
Most people I know could care less about it as it probably would not effect them.
Thats because it is all points based. A DWI is 6 points and hey, they should have to pay as it coutld be you or your family that gets killed. A reckless is 6 and to get one you have be going 20mph over so there is not much doubt. Or seriously dipping in and out of traffic. If there is any doubt it would drop to a lesser charge. If your record is otherwise clean it will drop as well.
Regular speeding is only 3 points. To kick in the extra fine you would have to reach your FOURTH offense. Points drop off over time so if you are a person who gets a speeding ticket every few years you won't reach that level. If you reach your third you can take the online driver course which will drop points so even if you have a fourth you won't pay extra.
So to have to pay it you have to be endangering lives. You know that person who got a DWI didn't get caught the very first time drinking and driving. Same with speeding. Nobody gets caught every time they speed. And to get that many in so short of a time they do it all of the time.
So of course it makes the roads safer. And the average citizen does not have to worry about it, only those who continue to make the roads unsafe or just won't learn their lesson do. Money for roads mean safer roads. Let the ones who make them unsafe pay for this.
I don't think any of the answerers to this question who favor such fines are Virginians. When such legislation comes to their state, they will oppose it furiously. I being a Virginian CONDEMN such law because it is unconstitutional since it does not apply to out of state residents and hence 14th amendment gets violated. Secondly, the legislators of this law have themselves admitted that the aim is to raise revenue, they don't say aim is to improve safety. Such kind of wording smells of corruption. Thirdly, imagine a teenager, minimum wage worker, or a low income person who is fined $3000. How in the world will such person afford this kind of fine without financial hardship. A person's income needs to be taken into account before imposing a fine. Most people do not even have health insurance. And the notion that this is only for worst drivers is not true. Take a look at interstate highways where everyone goes around 75 mph when limit is 55 mph. 75 mph is the 85th percentile speed per the speed survey conducted by Virginia Dept. Of transportation. If you go 55 while everyone does 75, you endanger your own safety because you impede the traffic. But if you get ticket at 75 on interstate, you are charged reckless driving and a $3000 fine. This is happening on a daily basis and interstates are used as speed traps by police to raise revenue. Most states have 70 or 65 as limit on interstates at minimum. Therefore taking all this into account, the law is very unfair, harsh and unconstitutional. A first time mistake can cost you $3000.
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