Topic: BEWARE New Traffic Fines in Washington

[jevfro]

BEWARE New Traffic  Fines in Washington :

 HOV Lane - 1st time offense $1068.50 (note: the sign posted on the HOV
lanes that says $271 is now wrong and DOT is in the process of changing
them) 2nd offense fine is doubled, 3rd it is tripled and fourth your license
is suspended for a year! (they are not playing around!)


· Incorrect Lane Change - $380.00 (not using turn signal or "cutting" someone)


· Block Intersection - $485.00


· Driving on Shoulder - $450.00


· Cell Phone Usage While Driving - $285.00 (cell phone usage must now be
done with "hands free" device.) Law Enforcement has been told to
really start cracking down on this, as the accident rate is increasing due
to cell phone use.


· Cell Phone Usage in a Construction Zone - $570.00 (this fine is doubled
from the regular $285.00)


· Passengers over the age of 18 not in a seat belt - Both the passenger AND
driver with get tickets of $101.00


· DUI - Instant ARREST! (the courts are now placing DUI's on your driving
record for a period of 10 years!)


· Last but not least. You know that there was a thought that you could go at
least 5 MPH over the posted speed limit, well according to the WA. State
Patrol, you are now allowed 3 MPH over! So, watch your speed my friends

[Bob Wessner]

I believe they do, at least it works with me. Besides, if you re-offend enough, you won't be able to afford gas to drive.. oh, we can't now, so I guess that's not a plus, is it?

[Gordon]

I voted yes, but now I'm not so sure.  Of course the threat of fines will keep many people from driving like #$%*s, but if the traffic laws aren't enforced, it won't make one bit of a difference.  All of those infractions listed are already illegal, but they're still very common because the cops don't usually do anything about them.  If they would enforce the laws more strictly with the current fine structure, we would probably see a big reduction in accidents than by just increasing the fines and not making any extra effort at enforcement. 

And I thought a DUI already meant an instant arrest in every state.  

[dustyc]

I think some will still drive recklessly especially if they have alot of money.  Where I live, the rich college kids have the attitude that they'll do whatever they like and pay fines or pay for lawyers to get out of it.  One ass-hat paid enough money to the manager of a band I was doing sound for to have his buddies get on stage with the band's instruments and do their version of "Sweet Home Alabama".  He arrogantly told the band who initially told him no "He who has the gold makes the rules". 

I also think actual enforcement reduces accidents. 

Here's an example.  I'll push a yellow light on occasion.  We have a photo enforced traffic light and that is the one light I'll absolutely not go through if I think it will turn red while I'm under it.  If there was just a higher fine for running a red light and a 2% chance of a cop being there when the light went red rather than staying yellow, I'd still drive my usual way.

They are just increasing their revenue for the same amount of work.  And the same half-assed enforcement.

[Bob Wessner]

Good points on the enforcement issue. One would "think" with fines like this, both improved driving and enforcement would be encouraged, but who knows.

[jevfro]

I agree that enforcement would have the same effect w/o the higher fines.  Some will just pay anything because they don't care and money flows for them like water.  It's really sad if you ask me.  Between gas, insurance, and now rising traffic fines, only the rich will be able to afford to drive at all.

The one that really gets me is the speeding, I mean 3MPH!? That's probably impossible with my old speedometer.  I'll be going 5-10MPH over what my meter says most of the time because I know it's off a little.  I certainly wouldn't want to be going too slow, it's just as dangerous as speeding in my book!

Is it just me or do the amounts on these seem excessive?
What are ppl from other states paying for the above tickets?

$1068.50 for using the HOV? And then it doubles! if you do it 3 times thats like $5000 in fines.  The only people that would dare do it after the first ticket, are those who are rolling in money to burn.

Too many God damn rules!

sorry rant over

[andy750]

Im all for the ban on cell phone use while driving  -should be enforced all over the country and especially in Boston! You just need to ride down the highway and see cars drifting due to people with one hand on the phone pressed to their ear. Or look around town and see people make bad/wide turns due to driving with one hand pressed to their ear. Take away cell phones and accident rates will fall! No data on this but my opinion 

As for the speed limit -3mph is a joke. Are the radar guns calibrated to that margin of error?? Any ideas?

cheers
Andy

[boatsdickson]

And I thought a DUI already meant an instant arrest in every state.   

It sure did in my state, Missouri....

I thought they were mistaken, so I did it again....

Ill be, arrested that time too....

The third time? Yep, that time too.

But the lawyer and an absurd amount of money cut me back down to two.

I believe them now.... Im not going for three again... 

[my78k]

hmmm....I voted no and then read the rest of the post (pre-mature again  )...Now I have myself thinking. In some cases they do. Like the cel phone law for example. I believe that one works and same for the DUI. But the lane change one and the more mundain everyday stuff I don't think has any real effect. The HOV thing is a freaking joke....they have the biggest fine for something that at most is an inconvenience but the stuff that can kill ya (i.e. those distracted drivers making left hand turns in fornt of you!!!) there is no punishment for...THAT seems like a cash grab!

Dennis

[seaweb11]

I run around the little Island here like I stole it!  Cops are at home. I'm lucky to  live in a place with no police supervisors to check on them.

It's been 4 years, I'm due, and will deal with it when it comes......and I know it will come.
I drive and ride much calmer in the City

There's a few of us over here that want to try to organize a classic bike race weekend some day.

[upperlake04]

Tougher laws in Ontario..

  OPP seize 41 vehicles under new speeding law
Last Updated: Monday, October 1, 2007 | 12:53 PM ET
CBC News

   At least 41 people temporarily lost their vehicles and their driver's licences after police began Sunday to enforce a new Ontario law intended to crack down on street racing and dangerous driving.
  The drivers charged under the Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act, which came into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 30, will pay the cost of towing and storing their vehicles for seven days — about $1,000 — as well as fines of $2,000 to $10,000. They could also face jail time.
  More than three dozen vehicles impounded by noon on Monday included one motorcycle clocked at more than 200 kilometres an hour, said Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Cam Wooley.
   Among them were also three rental vehicles whose renters will now have to pay for an extra week. Wooley said some drivers took the penalty particularly hard.
  "One young man actually started to cry as his mother's car was towed away."
  OPP Chief Supt. Bill Grodzinski said police are trying to make aggressive driving socially unacceptable.
  "We want to demonize aggressive drivers, much as we've demonized impaired drivers and the reason is very simple," he said. "They're killing and maiming people on our highways and that's got to stop."
  The new law allows police to issue an immediate seven-day driver's licence suspension and impound a vehicle for seven days for "driving stunts" such as travelling 50 kilometres or more over the posted speed limit.
  Other parts of the law:
    * Ban motor vehicles from highways if they have a connected nitrous oxide system, which can boost the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
    * Allow courts to suspend a driver's licence for up to 10 years for a second conviction within 10 years of the first. (The maximum suspension for a first offence is two years.)
    * Increase penalties for drivers with blood alcohol concentrations between 0.05 and 0.08 grams per 100 ml of blood. (0.08 grams per 100 millilitres is the legal limit.)
    * Increase use of devices that require convicted drunk drivers to pass a  breathalyzer test to unlock the ignition of their car.
    * Allow flashing blue lights in combination with flashing red lights on police service vehicles.

[my78k]

Being an Ontarian I have been forced to follow this abit...especially since it's not unheard of for me to get above 150km/h on the 401. This to me is insane...there is nothing in there about what type of vehicle or type of driving (for example a VW bus driving at 3am on a deserted road is very different than some dink in a Civic bobbing and weaving at 6 in the evening!)

I am not saying that we should encourage speeding but at the same time this new law has way too much blanket power!

Dennis

[shoggoth80]

I think it's just a way for the state to soak up even more of your money.
I pass people in the carpoool lane all the time, because of slow drivers in the left lane, pacing the car in the right lane. I try not to talk on the cell phone when driving, because I see many people drive like absolute retards while yapping on the phone (though I do believe that many cannot drive well to begin with).  People who are poor drivers will be poor drivers, regardless of fines imposed. People who are actually skilled behind the wheel will continue to be so.

[edbikerii]

Just a DUI heads up to you guys, too:

Even if you don't move the car, they can nail you for driving drunk.  In many places the legal definition is "in control of the car", which the police can interpret as "keys in the ignition".

I made the mistake of going back to my car once after drinking.  I starting up the engine so I could run the heat, reclined the seat, and went to sleep.  A couple hours later, a cop woke me up and read me the riot act, even though I hadn't moved the car an inch.  I argued with him about it, but I found out later that I was lucky he did not charge me with DUI.

Even if I hadn't been convicted (who knows?), it would have cost me an arm and a leg to fight it in court.

I think this is pure stupidity, but I guess the cop was doing me a favor by letting me go.

[CrisPDuk]

Anyone caught DUI deserves whatever happpens to them

I agree with Shoggoth80 about the cell phones, most people driving like retards with them drive like retards without them

Blanket speeding fines that dont' give the police room to excercise their judgement are just a means of raising revenues.

As far as seatblets are concerned I believe in personal choice. But, I also believe that if you have an accident and you ain't wearing one, any and all personal insurance (especially health) should be rendered invalid. Why should everybody else's premiums go up because of your stupidity.

[ofreen]

The fine for HOV use is classic Washington State bull$hit.  There are signs on the freeways instructing people to call 1-877-764-HERO to turn in violators.  The threshold for attaining hero status in Washington is pretty low, it seems.  That kind of crap is why I got out of there many years ago.  Eastern Washington isn't bad, but the west side blows donkey dongs.

HOV lanes are a joke.  All they do is reduce the practical carrying capacity of a highway when you need it most.  They are also dangerous because of the speed differential they can create between adjacent lanes.  Most places I am familiar with that have HOV or diamond lanes allow motorcycles to use them, so that ain't bad, but you really have to watch what you are doing because of the speed differential.  If you are cruising down a nearly empty HOV at 65, and the traffic next to you is doing 25, that is a recipe for disaster.

[Cvillechopper]

Personally, I think it's just another instance of more regulation instead of enforcement of current regulation.  The problem is, you start to punish those who aren't irresponsible when you make broad regulations.  Luckily, most Law enforcement officers are smart enough to recognize the difference and can help mitigate the stupidity of the legislature. 

[City Boy]

I have ,sadly,come to the conclusion that todays traffic chaos is here to stay until and if control of the vehicle is taken out of our hands.I think John and Jane Q Public have come to the realization that the cutting of corners regarding following the rules carries little chance of consequence.The thought of causing an accident is the furthest thing from their minds.Hell,attention to driving is down around #5 on the list of what they are thinking about.The # of cops needed to reign it in would be cost prohibitive and unwelcome in a free democratic society.I walk every day to a corner store nearby.While standing at the one traffic light I encounter it is quite a show if I have to wait for my green.Two or three making rights will blow the red without slowing at all,everyone making lefts will turn into the wrong lane,and of course red light runners never fail to make an appearance from both directions!Then,a pedestrian will start crossing on an advance green,messing up the left turners to boot.When I get my chance to go,I cross with the knowledge that I am persona non gratta in the eyes of motorists.Fortunately,the country side here still offers a place to enjoy the ride or drive with minimal moronic activity.

[heffay]

the thing about cellphones is that it distracts the BRAIN not the friggin hands... stupid friggin' retards... why does no one understand this?

my opinion... its all about revenue.

my other opinion... no, i don't have another a$$hole    ...  drive like a maniac, everyone else does!  just watch out for them because that's what we and they do differently.  i regularly break the limits... but i keep 2-3 seconds following distance, i know to slow BEFORE corners, i know how to use my horn in emergencies, i can gun it thru a tight spot instead of getting freaked and stopping flow, etc.  basically, don't be a nuisance and they won't have much reason to pull you over.

my one main driving flaw... i will brake check the FVCK out of you if you don't get off my a$$!!!

yes, its me against all the other drivers in this world!  i think that is the only way i'm still alive.