Would a new system of traffic violation fines work? I supply an example?

Question

From my experience in county courts for petty traffic violations--all I see are honest people who are struggling to make ends meet and are being punished by over-zealous cops with fines that are rediculous. Going 5 miles over the speed limit is a $150 dollar fine plus motor vehicle and insurance surcharges (when its all said and done can udd up to $1,000 for going 5 miles over the speed limit.....some people have children who depend on them and aren't making enough to pay these fines. I think the fine should be proportional to the amount of the individual income. A rich person should pay $500 while a minimum wage worker should pay $50. Which is not any more different than how judges come up with setting bail for criminals.

simply stating that ...."if you don't break the rules-you don't get a ticket" does not apply here since most offenders don't know they are actually doing something wrong in the first place --which is stated that in in our federal statues cannot be a crime since the offender does not intellectually know they are commiting a crime in the first place.....right turn on red, what is the legal speed limit, switching lanes, one way, can all be honest mistakes that should not translate to either pay the ticket or your children will have nothing to eat for a week....why don't we have safer cars instead of SUV's roaming the streets...that should be a better alternative. Taken women off the road even......

Answer 1

I think there should be no fines,but only the loss of licence points
I made an illegal right turn, on a quiet road, it cost $190.00
and I lost 2 licence points, the cops also made the same illegal turn. Aussie pensioner

Answer 2

First of all the constitution doesn't say that just because you don't know that you're breaking the law you haven't committed an offense. There are a lot of laws where intent is not a factor, such as negligence charges.

Fines are intended to punish people who break a petty law. Jail time is for people who break major laws. And the cops are not the ones that set the fines, nor do they see any of the revenue.

Insurance premiums on the other hand is a whole other issue. You pay and pay to them and they find any excuse to not pay your claim. Then they use things such as credit history to predict how likely you are to be involved in a traffic crash... However many states allow you to go to traffic school to avoid points on your license and to keep your insurance rates from going up.

Also I'd like to point out that I have never pulled anyone over for going 5 MPH over the limit, although I have had drivers accuse me of it before. I'd be more likely to believe that since you're in traffic court a lot that you're probably going more than 5 MPH over the limit.

Answer 3

First I totally disagree whit your, punish the rich tax system. I have worked hard to get a good job (not the best) and save my money so I don't have to work when I am older. I personally do not like having the government take money from one group to give to another who made poor decisions in the past. Your reference to bail is not an apples to apples comparison because bail is money that the person gets back if they show up for court, a fine is a Punishment. Should a poor person get less jail time because they are poor? I think that rich people are out there building the economy and hiring poor people (who could be rich if they showed discipline to save and improve them selves) and if they are punished for being rich you are punishing people who make good decisions.

Second Traffic Fines ARE taxes. Some small towns can support their government solely off the fines from a local highway. Law enforcement only gives tickets for 5 over when their bosses tell them to (or if the guy is rude). This is normally because someone complained about people speeding in front of their house, or the city council is going to slash the police budget if they do not bring in more ticket revenue!

Third Their is always the option to not pay the fine and still do your civic duty and sit in jail over the weekend. The part of Texas I used to live in Gave you $100 credit for every 8 hours spent in jail. Go spend your Saturday reading a book (it may have to be the Bible depending on the jail) and you don't have to pay the fine!

Answer 4

You are obviously a bleeding heart liberal. This is an absurd plan. The phrase "equal justice under the law" comes to mind.

In fact, I would rather have a 'rich' person speeding, with more then likely a nice car, in good condition and with insurance speeding, then a poor person with a broken down, barely passed inspection, balding tires and worn out breaks car, that may or may not have any insurance.

Answer 5

the percentage thing is an interesting concept, however those who have no income, no insurance, and are driving a stolen car would pay $0.00 because they make no money.

Just joking, or am I

No, seriously I understand you and the example I stated above is definitely an over example but I believe most fines which are imposed upon traffic infractions are variable with respect to the city in which the traffic infractions are created, and if you think they are charging to much get involved in your local government, run for Mayer and change it.

Answer 6

the answer is simple : dont speed.

it is also stated that ignorance of the law is no defence.
and secondly, cars are fitted with a speedomometer, which indicates how fast the vehicle is moving. It is up to the driver to check the speed.

Answer 7

Yes, I agree. What you are describing is 'means testing', A person pays an amount based on their income. Very fair

Answer 8

pitch your idea to your congressman/congresswoman