[arel]

Last night I got my first traffic ticket in Vermont, in Brattleboro. I inadvertently failed to stop at a stop sign. The cop was courteous. But he gave me a ticket and told me the fine was $214.

He told me that iff it is not paid within 20 days, my license will be suspended.

And that if I contest it, then the fine can go up.

Yes, I did go through the stop sign. And yes, there is no question that stop signs are important for public safety. Serious, even fatal accidents can occur if a stop sign is gone through.

But a fine of $214? Isn't that excessive? People here have a high cost of living and low paying jobs. Many are out of work altogether.

Fortunately, I have the money to pay the fine. I don't like the loss involved, especially since I had an emergency car repair bill that day for over $300 (my starter died), but there is no financial hardship that could jeopardize my housing, health insurance or heat.

But what if I didn't have the money?

I wrote an opinion piece for iBrattleboro. No need to rewrite everything here, so here is the link:

iBrattleboro.com - Got Traffic Ticket Today

The last comment there, at the time that I'm writing this City-Data entry, misses the point of the article. The point is not my "whining". The point is that the fine is both excessive and regressive. The less money a person has, the more of a hardship the fine imposes.

I'm all for deterrence. But although a big fine can deter someone from deliberately ignoring a traffic law, it can't deter a person from making an honest mistake, even if he or she makes the effort to be more careful.

I'm curious about traffic fines elsewhere in Vermont, and about people's feelings about them.

[Logs and Dogs]

I can see both sides of this……………Speeding tickets routinely cost $200-300 in most states when you get clipped for 76mph in a 65mph zone etc. and in all reality you aren’t putting anyone’s life in danger statistically speaking by doing 76mph vs. 65mph……..it isn’t like you are out of control. So if that fine is easily $150-300 for highway speeding with little risk, it almost makes the stop sign running a bargain given the higher probability of causing a collision and or injury with the stop sign infraction.

That being said, $214 does bite the big one, but actions have consequences. I’ll bet you won’t roll another stop sign for a long time though…..so it served it’s purpose.

[GypsySoul22]

Yes, the amount sounds excessive. I don't understand why it would go up if contested. What happened to 'free to be, you and me?' And, your point being what if 'unemployed so and so' or barely getting by person has a huge fine like that?

Guess they don't eat that week (!) or start taking the bus.

Arel, I assume you have VT plates & license? The police are ALWAYS stopping out of state plates here..

I've been told by countless people Vermont cops are 'vigilant.' My husband works second shift and has been stopped several times 'because' by both VT and NH cops. I believe they were just looking for DWIs & people crossing state lines not wearing their belts.

[arctichomesteader]

Fine shouldn't go up if you challenge it in court. That was the cop on a power trip.

[mustmove]

Revenue- think of it as a random tax. Some of the Scandinavian countries have progressive traffic fines. Fines are based on a percentage of wealth there have been a few cases of 5 or 6 digit traffic fines for the very wealthy. Progressive or flat revenue generation through motor vehicle actions is a crock. If everyone obeyed the traffic laws states would go bankrupt.

[mustmove]

PS a lot of VTers don't have DL from various infractions often DUI. Being small town VT the police often know who has a license and who doesn't and give a wink to folks driving to work and such without a DL. No way to live even with a free pass.

[arel]

I'm going to speak to the town about this.

I can see the need to enforce traffic laws, which we all need to stay safe on the roads.

But this fine really seems excessive. And I am concerned about its regressiveness. It can seriously harm people with little money, but not at all affect people with a lot of money.

But thanks for letting me know the range of fines for speeding. Missing a stop sign is potentially more dangerous for the public than going a little bit over the speed limit.

[arctichomesteader]

I doubt they'll care. It's a source of revenue many towns and cities like to use...not that they speak openly about that fact...

[ex-springfielder]

The fine won't go up if you go to court but you will pay court cost of $25 or so if you go to court and lose. If you have the time plead innocent and wait for them to issue you a court summons and then go to court, chances are they will reduce the fine as they don't want someone taking up their time in court. Many states and towns are using traffic fines as a way to generate needed money, of course it then goes on your record and gives the insurance company an excuse to raise your rates so the ticket can actually cost you much more than just the fine. Plead not guilty and ask for a jury trial.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by ex-springfielder

The fine won't go up if you go to court but you will pay court cost of $25 or so if you go to court and lose. If you have the time plead innocent and wait for them to issue you a court summons and then go to court, chances are they will reduce the fine as they don't want someone taking up their time in court. Many states and towns are using traffic fines as a way to generate needed money, of course it then goes on your record and gives the insurance company an excuse to raise your rates so the ticket can actually cost you much more than just the fine. Plead not guilty and ask for a jury trial.

Yep. When you make it less profitable (demanding trial), they tend to get less interested...

And watch this video Arel (and anyone else):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8z7NC5sgik