As we all know, driving cautiously without much breaking and accelerating much saves a ton on gas. People right now are trying to conserve gas as much as possible with it costing $4/gallon+. However a new reason has occurred to stop speeding when you drive.
An article from MSN states that in GA, a new fee called “fuel fee” will be added to people’s speeding tickets. This will be about $12/ticket to pay for cop’s gas as they chase down speeders burning more of their own fuel in the process. Apparently many other counties are inquiring how this is going to be done, and what the success will be.
I’m guessing that within the next year many other states will implement such a fee. Also Atlanta is considering adding it to all moving violations like DUI, running stop sign, etc, and not just speeding. I think this is a great idea. It will further help decrease fuel consumption and it keep our streets safer.
Question is are you already driving more conscientiously? I know I am.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Todd the Bod // Jun 24, 2008 at 4:25 am
How does this decrease fuel consumption? And while it will generate more income for the local governments it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll spend less. The more they make the more they spend, it’s not like they’re going to save it.
2 death and taxes // Jun 24, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Yet another reason to move to Montana. This is a brilliant strategy for stealing more money from the pockets of the little guy. Perhaps I’d feel more comfortable if I knew what that money was *really* going towards…
3 Ashley @ Wide Open Wallet // Jun 24, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Back in 2001 I got pulled over for speeding. The cop took pity on me and only gave me a ticket for “wasting natural resources”. It was $26.
4 Jim ~ mydebtblog.com // Jun 24, 2008 at 3:17 pm
More government regulation and fees are always a solution to a problem and never create another one. This fee is about as lame as paying tolls on roads that have long since been paid for already.
5 Livingalmostlarge // Jun 24, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Does anyone drive on Toll roads? The best road I by far have ever driven on is the interstate - 90. And the tolls are high!
But heck most people in MA don’t complain because the toll money actually goes to maintenance of the interstate. And it doesn’t have potholes like the rest of the streets.
Considering I’ve replaced all four of my husband’s rims, and 2 tires on my car from the potholes, I consider it a blessing. And multiple dealerships when I ask, say it’s common and very problematic to have so many potholes. Which as you know is caused by the water seeping into cracks and expanding. And New England is worse than most because it’s weather doesn’t stay freezing, it goes up and down all winter long. It can be 50 in January and then -10 the next week. NOT condusive to well maintained streets.
So I do think it will go to the gas bill of cops. It certainly is becoming costly here.
6 Barb1954 // Jun 25, 2008 at 3:49 am
New England has mild winters compared to the upper Midwest.
As for toll roads, many of the Interstate highways in northern Illinois are toll roads. So when we drive from Milwaukee to any place in the Chicago area or its northern suburbs we have to pay about $5 roundtrip.
7 Livingalmostlarge // Jun 25, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Yep, but Milwaukee has mild winters compared to Canada.
My DH grew up about 12 hours further north.
Anyway, the reason why New England has way more potholes than milwaukee or Canada is because it is mild winter and swings so much. It goes from cold to warm way too easily.
In Milwaukee and Canada, it gets to 0 and stays there. Snow doesn’t melt until May, but in New England, it freezes then melts then freezes. So water is able to seep into cracks and freeze. Then melt then freeze, causing an expansion over and over.
It’d be better if it stayed one or the other. And our neighbors pay $5/day in tolls.
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