It became all about safety only after they started getting pounded by just about everyone.  At least they found a few supporters who mindlessly bought off on the idea that this would actually improve traffic safety.

We've pointed out many times (as have many, many others) that this is a just a tax.  Actually, it's a tax with a twist that Republicans thought people would find palatable: make someone else pay.  Lets face it - people generally don't care about taxes in the abstract, they care about the taxes they have to pay.  So the twist was to make bad drivers pay the tax.  As long as a person considers themselves a reasonable driver they wouldn't care about the tax.  And since VABAD (Virginia Association of Bad and Aggressive Drivers) doesn't have much influence, those underhanded Republicans thought they slipped one by.

Yeah, it's all about safety **rolling eyes**

Go Chap Go.  Take out Albo's abusive fees/taxes just like you took out jeannemariedevolitesdavis.  

why didn't they just raise the fines for repeat offenders?  Why this weird addition to registration fees?  

"Actually, it's a tax with a twist that Republicans thought people would find palatable: make someone else pay."

Excellent insight Eric and a great soundbite!!!

The article also notes that men in their 40s and 50s are having more fatal motorcycle accidents (Are they using them to commute because of crowded roads?) and that Virginia's very poor roads are the direct cause for many accidents.  

Nothing has changed in Virginia in 225 plus years --heirs of the Tidewater Planter mentality still don't want to spend money on infrasturcture. George Washington initiated the Mount Vernon Conference in 1785 to work out commerical and legal issues for a uniform system for regulating commerce and transportation for all 13 states. He wanted to build the C&O Canal.  Washington's vision was never completed and the C&O by itself was never really successful.

Jefferson initally supported infrastructure and signed the Cumberland Post Road Bill 1807, but back home after his second term, he flip-flopped back to his earlier states-rights position.  

Madison and Monroe both flip-flopped on infrastructure support.  Madison, after supporting the Bonus Bill to build roads and canals, vetoed it on his last day in office in 1817.  Monroe vetoed the Cumberland Road repair and extension in 1822.  He was the last US President from Virginia.

But their negative influence is alive and well today!

and I am scared shitless about the fine.  I cannot afford $3,000.

What do people do?

there are all sorts of factors that play into whether or not there's a real risk of the full fine, which are best explained by a lawyer.*  That's probably the smartest thing to do right now - talk to one.  Ask around (I'm sure at least one or two of his peer group have needed one in the past) or call your local bar association for a referral.  Any good lawyer will  talk to you to assess the situation, and then give her reasonable estimate of what retaining her services could cost.  You can decide what to do from there, without paying a penny.  Do it sooner than later, for maximum flexibility.    

*Note that this is probably what motivated Albo the Traffic Lawyer in pushing this crap statute in the first place.  Appalling.  

He understands.

Totallynext:  

One of my colleagues is a criminal defense atty who does a lot of traffic cases.  He has successfully defended abuser fee cases, as well as reckless driving.  If you're interested, I can provide you his contact information.

not to impose the abuser fees, and plenty of prosecutors willing to try to work something out.  I've even been hearing of police officers undercharging offenses in order to avoid incurring the fees on motorists.  

wasn't it Tim Kaine that came out with this safety thing back when he was getting nailed to the wall over the abuser fees? Wasn't that his main reason for the fees? Seems to me I read that over and over as he tried to defend the fees.

Wonder what he's got to say now?

the Republicans wrote the transportation bill in secret, then dumped it on peoples' desks at the end of the session when they had no time to read it and said, "take it or leave it."  See here for more.

but you can't have it both ways

Nobody forced him to sign the bill into law

n/t

...account for the difference in fatalities from 2006.  The increase in the number of motorcycle accidents alone accounts for the increase.

Higher gas prices.... more motorcycles so people can afford to get around!Higher gas prices...more $$$ in big oil pockets and Bush's friends get rich!