Caledonia Argus

Police hope higher fines will deter speeders

Posted: 7/15/03

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

Traffic fine increases imposed by the 2003 Minnesota Legislature havenít changed the way local law enforcement agencies do business.

Penalties for petty misdemeanor traffic offenses like speeding have increased by more than $50. The minimum an individual will now pay for a speeding ticket is $110, whereas prior to July 1, getting caught speeding 1-10 m.p.h over the speed limit would result in a $65 ticket.

Someone receiving a traffic ticket pays three fees. There is a base fine, with the amount depending on the severity of the offense, a surcharge, and $10 law library fee, which in Houston County is used to maintain the library in the courthouse. Effective July 1, the base fine for speeding increased by $20, and the surcharge increased by $25, going from $35 to $60.

Though motorists now face heftier penalties for moving violations, Caledonia Police and the Houston County Sheriffís Department have resolved not to be more lenient when handing out tickets. Both departments cite the need to maintain safety and reduce accident rates. Handing out fewer tickets for moving violations would run counter to these aims.

Neither department implemented any type of policy change for writing traffic tickets when the new charges went into effect. Also, neither department has seen an decrease or an increase in the average amount of tickets handed out in a given week.

ìWeíre not issuing any more (traffic tickets) or any less,î said Caledonia Chief of Police Duane St. Mary. ìWe donít issue tickets to make money, we issue them so people will obey the speed limit, because itís a proven fact that tickets reduce fatalities.î

Even with the fine increases, St. Mary pointed out, issuing tickets is not a profitable endeavor for local law enforcement. Since January 1, St. Mary said, Caledonia Police have issued tickets with fines totalling over $4000. Attorney fees related to those fines, that is, the cost the city must pay for attorneys when people wish to settle fines in court, is over $8500.

ìWe never make money on traffic tickets,î St. Mary said, ìbut you have to write them, because some people donít learn if they donít get tickets.î

Furthermore, the state sees most of the dollars reaped from the fine increases. The largest increase was to the surcharge, and that money goes entirely to the state. Where local agencies see additional money is through the $20 increase in the base fine. The base fine for speeding increased $20; the fine for speeding 1-10 m.p.h. over the limit, for example, went from $20 to $40, and the penalty for going 11-14 m.p.h. over went from $30 to $50.

If a Caledonia Officer issues a speeding ticket, the city keeps two thirds of the base fine, and the county gets the other third. If a county deputy issues a speeding ticket within a municipality, the county keeps two thirds of the base fine and the municipality gets one third; if itís issued outside city limits, the county keeps all of the base fine.

St. Mary expects there to be some additional revenue from the new fees, but doesnít anticipate Caledonia Police to be rolling in dough anytime soon. Though departments might see a minor revenue boost from the fine increases, state funding was taken away from law enforcement agencies for some programs.

With annual officer training reimbursement dollars, for example, Caledonia Police saw a decrease of $60 per officer. St. Mary is hopeful that any sort of revenue increase generated by the new traffic ticket fines will help offset this reduction.

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