Centerblue.org

Hey Virginians! Surely you’ve heard about the new “abusive driver” traffic offense fees recently enacted by our illustrious General Assembly. No? Well, they are outrageous fines levied on top of the normal traffic infraction fees, payable ONLY by Virginia residents, for the crassly stated purpose of raising $65 million in yearly revenues for traffic projects. That sounds like a tax, but don’t tell that to those cowardly Republicans in Richmond who’d rather pull a wolf in sheep’s clothing by calling an exorbitant tax something else.

Bear in mind that a one-cent state tax on gasoline would raise $50 million yearly and spread the cost much more evenly in society–but God forbid that SUV drivers should be inconvenienced.

Check out what some of these outrageous fines might look like, which are in addition to the original fine for the offense itself, and ask yourself how a struggling middle class family or one below the poverty level might be affected by these fees if they’re unlucky enough to earn one (fees are payable in three yearly installments):

Driving 20 mph over speed limit/”reckless driving”: $1050

Driving without a license: $900

First time DUI: $2250

I’m not defending a DUI’er here…but imagine someone trying to get their life straight being socked with a fee of that magnitude. Or picture someone poor who loses their license because they can’t afford the fee, only to be socked with another $900 fee because he desperately needs to get to work and is driving without a license.

Virginia citizens are mad as wet hens. A petition with over 100,000 signatures is circulating online, and General Assembly Republicans are getting REALLY nervous as all of their seats are up for grabs in elections this November.

Do you agree the fees are outrageous? Sign the petition now!