Cash-strapped California increasing traffic fines again

(From the latimes.com) California motorists, already in sticker shock over rising fines for parking and traffic tickets, should prepare for more beginning Jan. 1. The state is adding $4 to the price of every traffic ticket. The fee will go for funding emergency air-transport services because of a revenue shortfall in Medi-Cal funding.

It is set to generate an estimated $34 million a year through 2016, according to state estimates. The increase is the latest in a string of fee increases both statewide and in Los Angeles as governments turn to motorists to pay more amid budget problems.

Last year, the state increased the fines for traffic tickets and used the proceeds to help renovate courthouses. The changes included a $35 surcharge on traffic tickets.

“We have so many different fees tacked on to traffic tickets and many tickets are in the $400 range now,” said Auto Club of California spokeswoman Marie Montgomery. “They should be paying a fine because they broke the law but it’s just a question of how disproportionate this is on drivers versus other taxpayers.”

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