MMARSH

Thanks for taking the time to answer a lot of questions, you changed my mind about traffic cops...a little :D

I got nailed by a PA Statie last week on the Turnpike doing 79 in a 65 zone on my bike. I was the only vehicle anywhere near him, he was behind a bend and got me with instant on, as my detector didn't give me enough warning. How was I being unsafe? Even if I wrecked, the worst that would have happened to others would be that they might hit some debris. No other cars anywhere. And I had been passed at that speed by plenty of others in more crowded areas.

Why was the LEO hiding and using instant on? If he wanted people to slow down, he should have had his lights on, parked in the median strip and every single car would have slowed down. It's all about money.

When you hear a TC go out, clear your F---ing stop and go take the crash.

(16 years. 8 more to go.)

he didnt write you for the "unsafe" section.

he wrote you for "exceeding maximum posted limit." (or something similar in verbage)

No, he wrote me a ticket because the state wants the revenue and he knew I wasn't gonna drive five hours again to come back and fight it. Do you think speed limits have something to do with safety?

If it was all about safety, the governemnt would put speed limiters on ALL cars at 65 miles an hour so that people couldn't speed.

When you think about it, it's ridiculous that my stock 6 cyl Dodge Magnum can go 120mph... ???

With the new $3500 speeding fine laws that take effect in VA tomorrow and do not apply to out of state drivers (sponsored by a state legislator who's a traffic defense atty. in his day job), I now have zero respect for any speed limit. It really is about money and nothing else. I just do what it takes to not get caught, like run a detector in VA, where it's illegal to do so, but where the fine for doing so is less than any speeding ticket.

Rick, fill us in on these new laws.... How can that be correct?
T

I'll find an article on it, but it's just nuts. Something like $75 per point per year, huge DMV surcharges AND judges are forbidden from reducing or suspending fines. Reckless in VA has long been the same as a DUI, mandatory court appearance, possible jail time. Now it's about to get worse. And I've never gone a day here where I didn't deserve a reckless ticket for going with the flow of traffic. Reckless here is 20mph over or anything over 80mph.

Here's the short of it. Of course, there are lots of other hidden fees and fines in each of these charges. Reckless tickets were more than $1000 (when it's all said and done) before the new fines. Oh, and if you get a reckless ticket, you must hire a lawyer. Most prosecutors won't talk with you unless you first pay into their good old boy racket and hire one of their friends.

"Driving fees:

The legislation imposes so-called unsafe or abusive driver fees for a period of three years upon conviction. Drivers pay the first year of the fee to the court; the second and third year are paid to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The fees cannot be suspended or reduced, and failure to pay will result in the suspension of a driver's license. The fees do not apply to out-of-state drivers.

Convictions subject to fees:

· Driving on a suspended or revoked license, $250 each year for three years.

· Reckless or aggressive driving, $350 each year for three years.

· Driving while intoxicated, $750 each year for three years.

· Other misdemeanor convictions for driving and/or motor vehicle-related offense, $300 a year for three years.

Demerit-point fees:

· A driver who has accumulated eight demerit points, $100.

· Each demerit point above eight, $75 a point. The maximum is $700 for 16 or more points.

· The motorist can offset demerit points by completing a driver-improvement class or driving a year without a conviction or suspension.

Registration fees:

For most Virginians, car registration will increase from $29.50 a year to $39.50. For passenger vehicles weighing more than 4,000 pounds, the fee will rise from $34.50 to $44.50.

There are also several increases in registration fees for pickup trucks and trailers, depending on weight.

Source: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles"

No, this isn't about money at all.

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.

"The purpose of the civil remedial fees imposed in this section is to generate revenue," the new law states. (Virginia Code 46.2-206.1)

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 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.

wow, time to stage a revolt.. And the state residents are taking that? I hope that legislater is quickly getting voted out??

I got caught doing 120 once. He thought I was doing 100. I didn't correct him. (Got off with a warning.)
-Chris

For the record...I just went through the Va. Traffic Court system for a reckless (speeding 20 over) and they don't give a flying F--k about details and proof. The entire ticket relied on the troopers "opinion" of the stop. I brought my mandated lawyer enough details of descrepencies, photos of the roadway where the ST would have lost sight of my car for 30 or more seconds and the system didn't care.
Christian,
Don't sweat the details, your wasting your braincells. Traffic court is a fallicy of justice, you're going to be relying more on the good nature of the officer, judge and prosicutor (sp) than anything else. Dress well, be respectable and bring your wallet. If you do anything , go to a drivers improvement class, have your speedo checked and hold on. PM me if you want.

Oh Ya,
Rick is 100% correct on his assessment of enforcement.

On the freeway? not much.

On city streets? pretty much.