Oh we fickle citizens!
First, Virginians seemed to be in favor of increased traffic fines, went around agreeing with each other that the best way to deter repeat offenders from driving recklessly would be to hit them in the wallet. Laws passed, and then suddenly, that attitude was replaced with a slightly different one, characterized by this frequently overheard comment - "It could cost you $350, just for forgetting to signal a turn!"
Now that there are cases coming before the court, the new fine schedule is being tested, with some interesting results. First, you might take a glance at this list of traffic violations grouped by amount of fine: http://www.timesdispatch.com/cva/ric/news/transportation.apx.-content-ar...
I found the last three items under the first $350 (think the second one is a typo) - to be quite chilling: failure to signal, exceeding "reasonable" speed, and going more than 80mph. Hmmm... I am really good about signalling, unless I'm stuck in a cluster of morons. You know the type - they typically drive just as fast as they can until they come upon another car's bumper, and then they hover just over the lane lines, drifting slightly, but never moving more than a car length away....... Y'know, when I find myself driving amidst those kinda folks, I do suddenly change lanes without warning. Usually just as I'm approaching stopped traffic, as it happens. Call it a wheel-jerk reaction.
I also do tend to drive a bit fast, usually to put more space between myself and the next car, 'cause if there's anything I really like while driving, it's space. I've also been known to hit speeds in excess of 80mph on the highway, especially while riding the Corridor of the Beast: I-95 south from Washington D.C. I'm sure others will relate to my belief that there are certain conditions under which it is essential that you travel at speeds in excess of 80mph. Call it mobile self-defense.
Back to that List O' Fines - Article about the first challenge to these laws here:
http://www.timesdispatch.com/cva/ric/news/business.apx.-content-articles...
Now that I've reviewed that list again, I find I can agree with the majority of them, and am willing to adjust my driving to a less-aggressive and more wallet concious attitude, but think that the real issue continues to be lack of enforcement. The fear of higher fines certainly didn't have any noticeable impact on "ONLI GOD" while driving down Forest Hill yesterday afternoon.
Confidential to ONLI GOD - Honey, do you believe that fish on the back of your SUV is going to make your god keep you safe while you swerve from lane to lane without a signal or a glance to see if the lane is clear? Do you think your god doesn't see you doing 45 in a 25 zone past a school? Are you so special, so much better than everyone else, that stopping at red lights is just an option? You're still driving that car today because I've got good brakes.
You're also lucky I'd just decided to try on this new, less aggressive driving attitude. We could call that good drive-time timing.