Va. Driving Fines and Their Abusers

We have had many laws on the books that have always been enforcable but aren't. Why? We are crowding the courts and not getting enough revenue return (dismissals, reductions of sentence, etc.) and our resources are stretched. We are "saving and utilizing" our resources for the more imprtant issues and infractions. I have been witness and discussed this with law enforcement for too many years. If the laws exist and you see an infraction-address it. Simple. Why wait for an outcry and then "react" to that outcry?

I have long petitioned the legislature of this state to go thru the books and eliminate the laws that no longer pertain (did you know that if you don't have someone with a red flag walking in front of your vehicle when you enter a town to worn riders of horses that a motor vehicle is coming is still on the books....what?) but they are existing for a "far-reach" when necessary to find someone in violation of something. Ludicrous! Just like the distance that you have to follow behind a trolleycar. That was on the driving test up to not-so-long ago. Doesn't pertain.

The new fines focus on Virginia drivers only...fact. The fines remain the same as old for out-of-state drivers....fact. The fines are for quick revenue but for no other reason....fact. It is easier to raise fines then to enforce the law on more persons (for reasons listed above)....fact. The driving fine revenue stream has always been there and is self-supportive (being able to pay for officers salaries, judges, clerks, overhead) and it does seem to be a "constant" stream. Would it not be deemed to be "profiling" if the heavily-induced fines cause law enforcement to single out Virginia drivers for traffic stops? It is and it will be. I don't know what Rust is talking about as far as constitutionality towards out-of-state drivers. When you come across our stateline, Virginia laws become enforcable to all. And we are also saying to drive drunk or reckless in our state if you aren't a resident because penalties will be less for you. Equality of enforcement, nothing less.

I looked in the Post and local rags in relation to crime reports for Loudoun county. Thefts, breaking and entering, stolen vehicles, assaults; all the "usual problems. Then I saw that there were 2 checkpoints set up last week. Of those 2 there were 37 "citations" given for driving without a liscense and suspended liscense. The checkpoints were set up for this purpose. Excluding those that may have forgot their purse or wallet with their driver's liscense inside, these people should incur our new "heavy" fines. Will this be a deterent or are any of these individuals repeat offenders? Who knows! We did generate revenue for our transportation woes. I'd let those people continue to do the same infractions to "guarantee" our revenue stream.

Only time will tell if these fines do as proposed. Kaine and this current legislature in Richmond just don't want to be bothered with transportation issues anymore. They are tired of taking the blame and hearing the ire from the citizenry. They want us to take care of our own problems with our own money and leave the general "slush fund"....ooops...didn't meant to say that. I mean the pet project fund....ooops....shame on me.......whaatever its label is (but its net is not for YOUR benefit). Besides, it will look good for the next liberal running for office to say that "my predecessor has grown the wealth and coffiers of this great state and I will continue to do the same". It is nothing less then a disgace and additional burden on Virginians. How long will it take to proof their "logic" wrong?