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By Haley Huie
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Virginia drivers have a bone to pick with state legislators.
Online petitions shed light on a complaint that’s gained momentum over the past month as Virginia residents line up to demand a special session of the General Assembly to repeal the civil remedial fees that took effect on July 1.
The total number of signatures has exceeded 175,000, and new comments are being submitted daily.
The penalties they’re protesting, also called abusive driver fees, were part of House Bill 3202 which was intended to provide funding for highway construction and transit capital projects, as well as granting Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads the ability to raise regional revenues, according to the Virginia Secretary of Transportation’s Web site.
Legislators also sought to allow localities that were experiencing higher rates of growth to assess road impact fees on byright development.
The fees vary depending on the offense a driver has committed, and encompass driving on a suspended license, reckless or aggressive driving, and driving under the influence. The money would be collected on an annual basis for three years.
Some Virginians, however, say that that portion of the bill is unfair because the abuser fees only penalize in-state drivers.
“Apply fees fairly across the board for all drivers [in state and out of state], or do not apply them at all,” one of the petition’s signers demanded.
Another signer said the fees are just a vehicle for raising taxes, then railed against legislators who supported the measure.
“I want elected officials to make tough decisions and make this state work with the taxes they already get and quit taking the easy way out by raising taxes. I will vote against anyone in favor of these abusive tax laws!” the entry read.
Internet pests are one thing, but it isn’t hard to find people around the county who are willing to speak out publicly about their concerns.
Victoria Laing, an Amissville resident, said the abuser fees will be ineffective because they won’t result in what was originally intended. “I understand everyone thinks we have to get the money somewhere to fix the roads,” she said.
Laing pointed to some of the
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