Increased Traffic Fines to Raise Revenue

As if we needed more evidence as to why police officers overcharge on traffic violations, take a look at this recent statement by Virginia's new governor.

"Gov. Tim Kaine said Wednesday his transportation funding plan will likely include higher fines for bad drivers, tolls and increased debt.  'We need more revenue - revenue as a combination of state revenue, local revenue options, debt, public-private ventures.  And you'll see a proposal that will, I think, combine those in a way that will put us in a good place.'"

Putting the burden of revenue building on traffic regulation merely puts more pressure on police officers to increase the volume of traffic stops and to charge motor vehicle operators with more serious charges than a situation merits.  As an example, many police officers will charge an at fault driver of a motor vehicle accident with reckless driving, even though the officer did not even witness the driver operating the vehicle.  The police know that the court will in many cases reduce the reckless driving to improper driving, which still imposes a fine and court costs on the defendant.

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