Bad drivers frequent Annapolis target over the years
Gov. Martin O'Malley wants bad drivers to pay additional fees -- an obscure revenue generating part of his budget that we wrote about in today's Sun.
But we didn't note that the concept has been kicked around in Annapolis frequently over the years. It was last embraced by O'Malley's predecessor and recent electoral foe former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. The Republican governor touted it as a way to discourage speeding and neglectful driving, according to a 2006 article in The Gazette.
Before that, the idea was championed by Sen. Rob Garagiola and Del. William Bronrott -- both Democrats from Montgomery County. That bill (the Driver Responsibility and First Responders Fund Act) would have levied a $50 fee for a fourth point on a license, and $300 for alcohol related offenses. It passed in the Senate in 2005 and 2006, but died in the House both years.
O'Malley's plan slaps a $100 fine on drivers for every point over five. Alcohol related offenses result in a $500 fee. The fines must be paid every year for three years -- and apply to in-state and out-of-state drivers convicted here.
Similar fees have been adopted in four other states. Virginia drivers disliked the idea so much that the legislature repealed the fines a year after passage (and reimbursed motorists). Texas, Michigan and New Jersey also fine bad driving.
But we didn't note that the concept has been kicked around in Annapolis frequently over the years. It was last embraced by O'Malley's predecessor and recent electoral foe former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. The Republican governor touted it as a way to discourage speeding and neglectful driving, according to a 2006 article in The Gazette.
Before that, the idea was championed by Sen. Rob Garagiola and Del. William Bronrott -- both Democrats from Montgomery County. That bill (the Driver Responsibility and First Responders Fund Act) would have levied a $50 fee for a fourth point on a license, and $300 for alcohol related offenses. It passed in the Senate in 2005 and 2006, but died in the House both years.
O'Malley's plan slaps a $100 fine on drivers for every point over five. Alcohol related offenses result in a $500 fee. The fines must be paid every year for three years -- and apply to in-state and out-of-state drivers convicted here.
Similar fees have been adopted in four other states. Virginia drivers disliked the idea so much that the legislature repealed the fines a year after passage (and reimbursed motorists). Texas, Michigan and New Jersey also fine bad driving.
Comments
I'd like to see more toll booths erected in the area to have all of the people who use our roads to get to DE, NJ, NY, etc. pay for their maintenance. Or even toll booths erected at the PA border on I-83 for all of the PA residents who commute to MD for work to pay to use our roads as opposed to in-state residents having to deal with this sort of thing to make up for a lack of revenues. I'd even like to see more of a state police presence out on the roads pulling over the out of state drivers who constantly drive at excessively high speeds and issuing tickets as opposed to this law going into effect. The article is right- this is just another tax, not a fee.
Posted by: B | January 28, 2011 12:21 PM
Perhaps MOM should give Ehrlich a call and discuss the difference between a tax and a fee.
Posted by: jay | January 28, 2011 12:47 PM