Topic: CA raises traffic fines. Effective 01/06/2011

[83yota5960]

Makes me pretty upset to see the gov raise traffic fines and rape us even more, when they don't reduce spending or anything else. Like to see what other people think about this to..

Traffic ticket fines (effective 01/06/2011)

VC 12814.6  $214    Failure to obey license provisions.

VC 14600(A)  $214  Failure to notify DMV of address change within 10 days.

Note: The fines may be reduced with valid proof of correction.

VC 16028(A)  $796   Failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility (insurance)

Note: This fine may be reduced with proof of insurance on or after the violation date.

VC 21453(A)  $436   Failure to stop at red light.

VC 22349    $214    Unsafe speed, 1 to 15 miles over the posted limit.

VC22350     $328    Unsafe speed, 16 to 25 miles over posted limit.

VC 22450    $214     Failure to stop at a stop sign.

VC 22454(A) $616    Passing a school bus with flashing red signals.

VC 23123(A) $148   Driving while using a wireless phone not hands free, first offense.

VC 23123(B)  $256    Driving while using a wireless phone not hands free, each subsequent offence.

VC 23123.5   $148   Driving while using a wireless device to send, read or write text.

VC 23124    $148    Minor driving while using a wireless phone.

VC 22500  $976    Parking in a bus loading area.

VC 22507(A)  $976     Violation of disabled parking provisions, first offence.

VC 22507(B)    $1876    Violation of disabled parking provisions, second offence.

VC 26708    $178    Unlawful material on vehicle windows.

VC 27150    $178    Adequate muffler required.

VC 27315    $148    Mandatory use of seat belts.

VC 27360    $436    Mandatory use of passanger child restraints.

   Note: This fine may be reduced by completing a court authorized child seat diversion program.

VC 27400    $178    Headsets or Earplugs covering both ears.

VC 27803    $178    Violation of motorcycle safety helmet requirements.

VC 34506    $616    Commercial driver-Log book violation.

VC 4000    $256    No evidents of current registration.

Note The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.

VC 4159    $178    Notify DMV of change of address within 10 days.

VC 5200    $178    Proper display of license plates.

VC 9400    $178    Commercial weight fees due.

[kneedownnate]

Great rant, except you must have missed where gov moonbeam stated drastic government spending cuts soon 

[yoshaleng]

VC 22349    $214    Unsafe speed, 1 to 15 miles over the posted limit.

so that explains why my ticket is 295.00 w/ traffic school for going 5 miles over.

[yotarunner85]

Great! Just got a speeding ticket over the weekend. Well it looks like I'll be paying my fine and sitting in traffic school insted of installing some new parts on my 4Runner on Saturday.       

[yoshaleng]

you can take the course online....2hrs vs whole day

[GloNDark]

so that explains why my ticket is 295.00 w/ traffic school for going 5 miles over.

Holy crap!!!! I got a 71 in a 55 and it was less then $200 but it's been 3 years now since that.....

[yotarunner85]

you can take the course online....2hrs vs whole day

Yea, I have done the online course before and will be doing it again. Much better being home, drinking a beer and gettin schooled than being stuck in a stuffy class room with a bunch of people you don't know.

[gnob]

the thing that makes me the maddest about traffic fines is, that they would rather let total ass rubes drive around terribly so the cops can fine them and get money in the system.

heres an idea, real driver ed and driver training.  take that BS traffic cop budget and give it to the DMV.

[GloNDark]

Yea, I have done the online course before and will be doing it again. Much better being home, drinking a beer and gettin schooled than being stuck in a stuffy class room with a bunch of people you don't know.

Years and years ago I took traffic school at a bar called "Black bart" over in the foothills. When we took our lunch break we sat at the same tables, order burgers and beers and then BS'ed all afternoon. What a joke. hahaha But it got rid of the points on my record.

[blackdiamond]

The government requires money to opperate.  For the purposes of this discussion it doesn't matter if the government is financially responsible or not.  Traffic fines are a very easy way for them to get money and until the fine for a given infraction is high enough to reduce the number of offenders to the point that they are actually receiving less money overall, I would expect them to keep increasing the fines.  It's really no different than supply and demand.  Many are happy to complain about speeding tickets, but few are willing to actually slow down, this includes me.  Are the fines a high price for the crime?  Absolutely, but at least you know exactly how much cash your risking to talk on the phone while driving.

Knowing that the purpose of traffic rules is safety, consider this:

Which is safer?
(a) 1,000 people driving 20 mph over the speed limit and getting a ticket for $10
(b) 10 people driving 20 mph over the speed limit and getting a ticket for $1,000

Both situations would provide the same amount of revenue.

I really don't think we have much room to complain when the penalty for a given offense is written in black and white.  My issue is when the penalty is arbitrary depending on the judge and jury.  I wish more laws were written such that if you are found guilty of the crime the punishment is a given.

The only infraction on the list that I would like to see changed would be a minimal fine for the first 5 mph over the speed limit.  After that I don't think people have an excuse.

It's like the NASCAR drivers complaining about getting caught on pit road for speeding when they are .1 mph above the requirement when the rules clearly state that they get a 5 mph "buffer" so they are really going 5.1 mph over the limit.  It's all about risk and if you're willing to take it.

For $50 I'll drive 15 mph over the speed limit a lot, but for $500 I'd better be heading to the ER.

 

[bleakhorizon]

wow..... those have got to be at LEAST 25 to 50% higher than here in oregon.... Crazy

[toe]

Just don't get caught...........