Traffic Fine Amnesty

Some of you may have read they're making changes in the administration of fines being levied for traffic violations. I'm not too clear on the exact details but generally they're talking of reducing fines for poorer folks and giving alleged violators the chance to contest their tickets before paying the fine (it was news to me it worked that way), among other things.

This is a good thing. As the Sacramento Bee's Dan Walters points out, it's often not just the fine itself that ends up causing the problem. It's the additional taxes and fees that are added to the fine, sometimes multiplying the cost up to five times the original penalty. This leaves drivers, especially poorer ones, in sometimes inescapable situations. It can ruin their lives.

Decades ago I used to be big supporter of fines for just about anything. I recall when attending the C/R Police Academy telling others that fines are the way to go. They bring in revenue, and violations are punished- the best of both worlds. But that was likely before they kept adding fees and taxes to pay for any number of things they didn't want to pay for in other ways.

Governor Brown has it right:  “I have found even a $50 ticket unpleasant enough,” he wrote in rejecting a fine increase three years ago. “Upping the fines may satisfy the punitive instincts of some, but I severely doubt that it will further reduce violations.”

That's spot on, and I've seen any number of proposals for increasing fines from average folks. They never consider those fines might end up being applied to them and then their life ruined.

I still support fines, but I'm glad they're taking steps to make this right and a bit more reasonable.

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I recall reading comments in the Santa Rosa Press- Democrat from those advocating stiffer fines for any number of traffic violations, specifically, talking on cell phones while driving. Raising the fine for a second violation to $1000.00 wasn't out of the question. I had to ask, do you really think ruining someone's life is appropriate for talking on a phone?

There's only one instance where my punitive instincts take hold and I'd go for a fine that high for talking on the cellphone. Niceness be damned: 

Those of you that get done shopping, get into your car, grab the cell phone, start talking and drive off. I've seen that happen more than once. If you really have to make that call, sit there in the parking lot, make the call, then drive off. That's has to be one of the more outrageous things I've seen.

If there was a way to catch people doing that, I'm not sure I'd care how big a fine you get.