2/25/05-A bill that called for annual fines of $100 to $300 on the worst-of-the-worst drivers to help pay for badly needed roadwork has died.
SB967, sponsored by Sen. Jay O’Brien, R-Clifton, was removed from consideration in the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 2. It previously passed the Senate Transportation Committee.
The so-called “abuser fee” approach was intended as a one-two punch that could net upwards of $140 million for the state’s transportation backlog.
The Department of Motor Vehicles would have annually reviewed every driving record on file. Anyone with six points on their license would have been assessed a $100 fine with an additional $50 for every additional point. That fee would have been separate from the cost of the speeding tickets or other infractions from which the points resulted.
In addition, people with more severe driving infractions would have received larger bills. Anyone convicted of driving while intoxicated would have been fined $300 a year for three years above and beyond what they would normally pay for that citation. Driving on a suspended or revoked license would have netted an offender a $200 fine. Anyone convicted of aggressive or reckless driving would have been fined $250.
A similar House bill – HB1563 – met a similar fate.

1/13/05-Sen. Jay O’Brien, R-Clifton, has introduced legislation to place annual fines of $100 to $300 on the worst-of-the-worst drivers to help pay for badly needed road work.
The so-called “abuser fee” approach is a one-two punch that could net upwards of $140 million for the state’s transportation backlog.
Under SB967, the Department of Motor Vehicles would annually review every driving record on file. Anyone with six points on their license would be assessed a $100 fine with an additional $50 for every additional point. That fee would be separate from the cost of the speeding tickets or other infractions from which the points resulted.
In addition, people with more severe driving infractions would receive larger bills. Anyone convicted of driving while intoxicated would be fined $300 a year for three years above and beyond what they would normally pay for that citation. Driving on a suspended or revoked license would net an offender a $200 fine. Anyone convicted of aggressive or reckless driving would be fined $250.
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration.
For Senate bill status, call (804) 698-7410. In Virginia, call 1-800-892-6948.
A similar House bill – HB1563 – is before the House Transportation Committee.