[macerico]

As someone who lives upon the land in the Republic of Virginia, I find these new "fees" insulting for basically one reason.

The "fees" were proposed to punish the worst drivers. People driving on revoked licenses, DUI offenders, and such.

When you read what was passed, there were two "catch all" provisions that imposed 1,000 FRNs or more on a multitude of misdemeanor and felony violations. Several of these violations are defined by what an officer says happened (in his/her own judgment....near impossible to refute in court because there are no defined elements of the "crime"). So, if the gestapo want to abuse this law to get more money for road repairs, they could find ways to write tickets against people for harmless violations. More so, they could introduce or elevate many "moving violations" to misdemeanor status so they get the extra 1,000 FRNs.

Such "catch all" provisions are blatant pork that had no business in the bill, and it implies that they know there aren't enough DUIs and people driving on suspended, etc. to come up with the money they wanted.

A special "fee" or fine for someone who does DUI seems reasonable by itself, but when they piggy back draconian provisions, you know something is rotten.