Well, they want more of it I should say. Everyone knows the dire straits California is in. I wonder how long it will take to get our state tax refunds this year – since there’s NO MONEY…
But never fear! California legislators have found the answer – traffic fines have been increased astronomically and anecdotal evidence points to more rigorous enforcement.
If you are unemployed or on a tight budget, be prepared for a soaking if you get one of these more expensive fines.
Traffic ticket quotas are explicitly prohibited by most jurisdictions but that doesn’t mean there aren’t “projections” and pressures to raise more revenue through these hugely-increased fines.
Speeding, Parking Tickets on Rise as Government Revenue Source
Fines for red-light traffic violations jumped nearly 65% in L.A. County
California Cities Have Red Light Camera Ticket Quota
California, Tennessee Ticket Quotas Uncovered
Free parking? Not if one California lawmaker gets his way
Watch out for the new “Move-Over Laws” – effective on January 1, 2010:
SB 159, authored by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), makes permanent California’s “Slow Down and Move Over” law. When approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck displaying emergency lights on the highway motorists must slow down and move out of the lane adjacent to the emergency vehicle, if it’s safe to do so. Additionally, SB 240 authored by Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) expands the “Slow Down and Move Over” law to include Caltrans vehicles that are flashing amber lights. Effective January 1, 2010.
Hey, maybe there’s a little hope:
Camera plan to catch speeders stalls in California
Traffic Tickets Fines as of 01/06/2010:
| Violation | Total Fine Due |
| VC 12814.6 | $ 214 |
| Failure to obey license(DMV) provisions. | |
| VC 14600(A) | $ 214 |
| Failure to notify DMV of address change within 10 days | |
| Note: The fine 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 a red signal. | |
| VC 22350 | $ 214 |
| VC 22349 | |
| Unsafe Speed, 1 to 15 miles over the limit. | |
| VC 22350 | $ 328 |
| VC 22349 | |
| Unsafe Speed, 16 to 25 miles over the limit. | |
| VC 22450 | $ 214 |
| Failure to stop at a stop sign. (california roll) | |
| VC 22454(A) | $ 616 |
| Passing a school bus with flashing red signals. | |
| VC 23123(A) | $ 148 |
| Drive using wireless phone not hands free, First offense | |
| VC 23123(A) | $ 256 |
| Drive using wireless phone not hands free, For each subsequent offense. | |
| VC 23123.5(A) | $ 148 |
| Drive while wireless device to send, read or write text. | |
| VC 23124(B) | $ 148 |
| A Minor using wireless phone while driving. | |
| VC 22500(I) | $ 976 |
| Parking in a bus loading area. | |
| VC 22507.8(A through C) | $ 976 |
| Violation of disabled parking provisions, first offense. | |
| VC 22507.8(A through C) | $ 1876 |
| Violation of disabled parking provisions, second offense. | |
| VC 26708(A) | $ 178 |
| Unlawful material on vehicle windows. | |
| VC 27150(A and B) | $ 178 |
| Adequate muffler required | |
| VC 27315(D and E) | $ 148 |
| Improper Mandatory use of seat belts. | |
| VC 27360(A and B) | $ 436 |
| Mandatory use of child passenger restraints | |
| Note: This fine may be reduced by completing a court authorized child seat diversion program. | |
| VC 27400 | $ 178 |
| Headsets/Earplugs over both ears. | |
| VC 27803 (A through C) | $ 178 |
| Motorcycle safety helmet requirements. | |
| VC 34506.3 | $ 616 |
| Commercial Driver – Log book violation | |
| VC 4000(A) | $ 256 |
| No evidence of current registration. | |
| Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction. | |
| VC 4159 | $ 178 |
| Deliberate failure to notify DMV of change of address within 10 days. | |
| Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction. | |
| VC 5200 | $ 178 |
| Improper Display of license plates. | |
| Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction. | |
| VC 9400 (A through C) | $ 178 |
| Commercial weight fees due. | |
| Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction. |
Police departments don’t call what they do revenue-raising.
They’ll tell you that they are not tax collectors. But revenue is revenue. Jacking up traffic fines and aggressively going after Dick and Jane Taxpayer amounts to a hidden tax, and one that especially hurts already-down-on-their-luck folks the most. So be careful out there!