Virginia Laws: Stiff Fines added July 1st

[JoeRedskin]

My problem with this law is the inability for it to be enforced in any consistent way. The discretion granted police is so wide as to when to enforce the law or levy the BIG fines that it becomes whimsical. Just reading through the list it seemed that the police can ding you for just about any minor infraction and turn it into a major expense. I'm all about law and order BUT I am also about fairness. The inherent inability for consistent application seems to me to be abhorent.

"Just obey the law and you'll be fine". Fair enough, but look through the list - cop's had a bad day, needs a big ticket to meet quota, stops you for
1) "bald tires";
2) cutting the corner in a grocery store lot (not cutting through, just shaving teh corner at the end of an aisle) or,
3) sin upon sin, you simply were so busy looking for your turn that it came on you with little or no time to signal and, instead of driving down the street signaling for a turn, making a legal U-turn and circling back so you can legally make the turn - you do a quick take and see nobody behind and make the quick right turn before you drive past it.

The cop cites you for BIG fines. As he is writing your ticket - three cars zip past driving recklessly and no fines ensue.

No, this does not excuse illegal acts BUT it does go to fairness and common sense. I have a problem with laws drafted for the main goal being the creation of revenue for the State and doing so in a manner that grants agents of the State to do so in an inconsistent manner and one that invites abuse.