Speeding Ticket Legislation Killed In Committee

Air Date:01/24/2011

By Jackelyn Severin

Lawmakers on the House State Affairs committee killed legislation raising the fine for not paying a speeding ticket or for missing a court appearance relating to a speeding ticket.

Currently, there is a one time fee of ten dollars assessed for missing court dates or late payments for traffic violations. Democratic Representative Larry Lucas of Mission brought the legislation forward. He says the bill would raise the penalty to twenty-five dollars for every day the fine isn’t paid.

"It seems to me that there are a large number of individuals who do not believe it is important to appear in court or pay their traffic violation in a timely manner. Just having the flat ten dollar charge as is currently in law does not seem to be enough of a leverage to get the violation of the ticket resolved," Lucas says.  

Opponents say a twenty-five dollar ongoing fine is excessive. The bill was narrowly defeated by a vote of 7 to 6.

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