8/13/03-Michigan’s habitually bad drivers could pay up to $1,000 a year to keep their driving privileges under a bill signed into law Aug. 12.
SB509 puts a $100 yearly fee on people who rack up seven or more points on their driver’s license within two years. Drivers with more points will be charged $50 per point. Those convicted of more serious crimes, such as reckless driving or drunken driving, could face fees between $500 and $1,000.
The fees are expected to generate as much as $75 million a year for the state. Only points accumulated after the law takes effect Oct. 1 would be subject to the fees.

7/17/03-Michigan’s habitually bad drivers would pay up to $1,000 a year to keep their driving privileges under a plan approved by the House July 16.
The bill, which now heads to Gov. Jennifer Granholm, is intended to crack down on repeat driving offenders and increase revenue for the state.
“ Drunk driving, reckless driving and road rage-related incidents have made Michigan’s roads and highways more dangerous than ever,” the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac, said in a recent statement. “The time has come for us to send a serious message to those drivers who threaten the greater public’s safety with their reckless behavior behind the wheel.”
SB509 would put a $100 yearly fee on people who rack up seven or more points on their driver’s license within two years. Drivers with more points would be charged $50 per point. Those convicted of more serious crimes, such as reckless driving or drunken driving, could face fees between $500 and $1,000.
The fees are expected to generate as much as $75 million a year for the state. Only points accumulated after the law takes effect would be subject to the fees.
For bill status, call (517) 373-2400.  

6/11/03-Michigan’s habitually bad drivers would pay up to $1,000 to keep their driving privileges under a plan approved by the Senate June 3.
“ Drunk driving, reckless driving and road rage-related incidents have made Michigan’s roads and highways more dangerous than ever,” the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac, said in a statement. “The time has come for us to send a serious message to those drivers who threaten the greater public’s safety with their reckless behavior behind the wheel.”
SB509 would put a $100 yearly fee on people who rack up seven or more points on their driver’s license within two years. Drivers with more points would be charged $50 per point. Those convicted of serious crimes such as drunken driving or driving without a license could face fees between $500 and $1,000.
“ With Michigan’s roads and highways busier than ever, we need to do something further to get the attention of drivers with the worst driving records,” Gilbert said. “Our message is: If you habitually ignore traffic safety laws, it is going to cost you.”
A recent Detroit News article found one of every six traffic deaths in the state involved a driver with multiple traffic violations, a rate exceeded by only three other states. The report also found that between 1994 and 2001 the state ranked fourth in the nation in the percentage of crash deaths involving drivers with bad records.
The bill has been forwarded to the House Appropriations Committee. For Senate bill status, call (517) 373-2400.