That's a Serious Speeding Ticket!

Being new to Virginia, I really don't know much about state politics. Yet. But I caught this news item and... well,... I'll let it speak for itself.

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.

So someone correct me if I'm wrong, but does this mean that Virginia just created the $3500 speeding ticket? Whoah...

I started to write something very pithy and theological about the price paid for even the slightest sin being death (Romans 6:23) because the absolute holiness of God leaves no room for any flaw. And my thoughts drifted to the wonders of mercy and grace in contrast with the righteous and absolute judgment of our Creator. But my mind kept being drug back to the frightening implications of a $3500 ticket for speeding. Hey, it would even apply to an obstructed windshield; I wonder if that means they'll go after the 20-something with a handful of beads and trinkets hanging from their rear-view mirror and creating a blind spot. (Oops. Sorry. Almost climbed up on my soapbox there.)

Then it finally sank in: If I'm reading this correctly, this development was led by a guy who is partner in a firm that will represent people who are hit with these new fines and taxes. Isn't there a conflict of interest here?

Sorry. Too much to wrap my head around, so I'll skip the theological analogies for now...


EDIT: Just wanted to add a link to the original documents. Maybe a lawyer can make more sense of this.

EDIT: Radio station WTOP suggests that the purpose of these new fines is to go after people with repeated violations. They're saying: "Those "abusive" in-state motorists will pay hundreds of dollars _ in some cases, thousands _ over three years in addition to existing fines, court costs and possible jail time. Drive with a suspended or revoked license and pony up three annual payments of $250 each; reckless driving, three yearly payments of $350 each; driving under the influence, $750 a year for three years. Any vehicle-related felony is $1,000 times three... 'Hey, roads cost money and there's no road fairy,' said Del. David Albo, R-Fairfax County, who devised the idea of making the worst drivers pay more of the cost of new roads. 'We could charge everybody an extra 100 bucks a year or we could charge abusive drivers, the people who abuse the roads. People with good driving records don't have to pay,' he said... Lesser violations, if committed often enough, can also trigger the fee. Drivers with eight demerit points on their records face a $100 fee; each demerit beyond that is an additional $75. You pay the fees every year you have eight or more demerits, and the points can pile up fast. Speeding up to 9 mph over the limit equals three demerits, exceeding the limit 10 mph or more is worth four, and all speeding demerits linger on your record for five years." You can read their whole article here.

EDIT: Someone sent me an e-mail pointing out that, basically, these fines will often exceed the penalty for driving under the influence in Virginia. Apparently it's better to be drive home drunk than to drive home too quickly. Obviously, the solution is simply to obey the law, drive safely and responsibly, and avoid the consequences altogether. (Yeah, there's a theological parallel in there.)