Finally, there appears to be relief on the immediate horizon for Collin, Dallas and Denton County Motorists who are subject to the so called Driver Responsibility Program. The Driver Responsibility Program was established in 2003 as a means of increasing revenue by requiring persons convicted of Driving While Intoxicated in Texas to pay a surcharge for the first thirty six months following a DWI conviction or face a driver's license suspension.
The amount of the surcharge is not insignificant. For example, a person convicted of DWI, first offense is required to pay $1,000.00 surcharge annually for the first three years. People convicted of a second offense or those who show an alochol concentration of .16 or higher face a much larger annual surcharge.
By almost every measure, the Program has failed. The anticipated revenues are not materializing and the compliance and enforcement have been large problems. For some time, the failure of this initiative has been known to the Texas Legislature, generally. I have written previously on a few occassions about the plans that were afoot to change the law.
It appears that now we may be seeing the first concrete steps in that direction. On October 21, 2010 the Texas Public Safety Commission agreed to adopt rule changes directly affecting the Driver Responsibility Program. The rule changes are scheduled to take affect in November.
Among other features of the program: For those who receive amnesty
their license suspension will be rescinded while amnesty payments are being made.
payments will be reduced to ten percent of the total amount owed.
Please click HERE to see a copy of the official press release
Typical government response with the Amnesty program. Those that haven't done what they are supposed to get a break (90%) where as those that have made the payments get to keep making the 100% payment amounts. The Indigency program makes sense for those that can't afford to pay but the Amnesty program should have the same income restrictions.
Yep, my son is making payments even tho it is over 50% of his income. Because of this financial responsibility he is not eligible for the "shamnesty program"... So the irresponsible get away with little responsibility...This was never about safety anyway, and I hope the state chokes on every penny they Have received for this "purpose"...
I agree with both Jim and Karen thoughts. I have never been without insurance my entire life except for a 6 month period in which I did not own a vehile. I sold my vehicle and was taken a temp job overseas, but before I left I borrowed a friends vehicle to do a few last min needed things. I was pulled over and at the time could not find his insurance card. I delivered a copy of it to the courts and then was informed that it was no good. I am in my secord year of the surcharge and it is so clear that we all are getting double jeopery for the same offense. This one incident will end up costing me nearly 1200.00. I could assault someone and it would only cost me a fraction of the amount. How is that fair? I think we need to take another look at who we have elected to act on our behalf. Definately a change is needed.
it's not right i paid 89.10 per month for 3 years plus $2.00 per month handling charge because i paid it online..why should I have had to pay the whole thing because i chose to pay my debt (if you want to call it that)..the state should at least refund something to the people who paid the entire thing ontime..why punish us and reward others