Police may be giving out more
speeding tickets in response to budgetary needs created by the recession.
Many media outlets picked up on the story by Larry Copeland in the USA
Today (listed below). Based on input from James Baxter, President of
National Motorists Association, the story notes that there is a growing
trend toward police issuing tickets for speeds only slightly over the
speed limit.
Many drivers felt they had a 5-10 mile per hour “cushion” over the posted
speed limit in which they didn’t have to keep one eye in the rear view
mirror looking for traffic police. Granted, they could. According to the
article the Governors Highway Safety Association stated police in 42
states regularly cut drivers a break when they were driving over the speed
limit.
The article notes that this wouldn’t be the first time speeding tickets
increased when local and state revenues decreased. Previous studies have
demonstrated that when less revenue is being collected enforcement of
speed limits increased.
There have always been a number of reasons to drive at the speed limit
(safety, gas conservation, etc.), but now there is one more reminder to
slow down: money! How many people list “speeding tickets” in their
household budget? Don’t let your haste in getting to your destination end
up costing you hundreds of dollars!
On a related note one way localities are raising more revenue is raising
hotel tax. The story printed in USA Today suggests that this may be a more
politically friendly tax as it hits travelers who are just passing
through, not the residents elected officials must answer to. While this
may not affect you at home it may have an impact on your summer time
travel budget. We will keep an eye on this one.
Looking
for ways to save more money? Visit
www.BowmansMoneyCollege.com. For more
consumer news visit
the
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http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-03-30-speeding-cushion_N.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2010-04-05-1Ahoteltax05_ST_N.htm |