California boosts traffic fines to help budget
By Jim Sanders, Sacramento Bee
Justin Jachens learned of California’s soaring traffic penalties when he got slapped for a red-light violation.
Ticketed drivers have been squeezed hard during the budget crisis, perhaps because few complain until they get fined – then it’s too late.
“We’re the ones taking the brunt for everything,” said Jachens, 21, a student at California State University, Sacramento. “It’s outrageous.”
Jachens was nabbed by a red-light camera for not making a complete stop at the intersection of Watt Avenue and Fair Oaks Boulevard. Three years ago, the offense would have cost Jachens $371.
Now it’s $470.