As if someone was reading my mind, I stumbled upon a damn good blog about the justice system here in Texas. As I read along, I discovered that this site is much more than my usual rants about probation and indigence – there are actually FACTS supporting the claims and the man who writes the blog, Scott Henson, is in a position to do something about the BS.
Perhaps you’ve heard of or fallen victim to the dreaded “Driver Responsibility Surcharge Program” here in Texas. Insurance companies and lawmakers have devised a plan to get every penny they can by charging people money for simple traffic violations and lack of insurance. The surcharges they impose after doing something they deem a “crime”, makes the police suddenly become involved, arresting people who don’t live up to their “financial responsibility” as drivers. This, they reason, should inspire drivers to keep everything current – and in a lot of cases, it does. However, there are many out there that can’t afford the surcharges, and their licenses are suspended. Getting pulled over subsequently leads to another arrest for driving with a suspended license, and that requires a surcharge as well. There is a vicious cycle going on, especially in these hard economic times.
I could not believe (but strangely, felt better) that more than 10% of Texans are currently wanted by police. Ten percent may not seem like much, but it’s a huge number of people – 78,000 in El Paso, for example. I can only imagine the Dallas population. This is an overcriminalization of the average citizens, and it shows a good example of why people are poor and angry… we’re the ones that are afraid to go to work, or go down to the store to get milk for our welfare cereal in the morning. This also makes us “criminals” in everyone’s eyes, and stunts chances for climbing social and economical ladders.
You’ll be hearing a lot more from the Grits for Breakfast blog. Frankly, I have no idea where to start on a lot of this stuff. I just have a feeling sometimes that I’m being done wrong.
If you get a chance, and are ready to do some serious reading, head over there – I don’t know how the man posts so many blog entries, not to mention SEO his site so well…. that’s another story.
I also want to spread the word that there is a petition for “revoking” the Driver Surcharge Program. Do us all a favor and Sign The Petition Against the Texas Driver Responsibilty Surcharge Program !
hey i cant get a job drivin for anyone cause i missed a surcharge payment when i lost my job.i didnt know they suspended my license and i got pulled over and got a ticket for suspended license.now i got to pay that ticket and get 3 yrs of another surcharge fees which amounts to750 dollars just for that 1 ticket in surcharges!!im still unemployed and my work profession requires me to drive .im fuked beyond belief!!tx surcharge is a scam [double jepardy ]fist up middle americans ass.tx lawmakers suck ass!!! please someone help middle americans in tx.wish the feds could help us!!!!!
excuse my french but im poor and angry as a frenchmen!!
What’s up J? Yeah, the Surcharge program is a joke! I’ve personally had my license suspended twice because of it – and putain if I never knew about it! (Pardon my terrible French)
Well, Scott Henson over at Grits for Breakfast showed me where to sign a petition where I was the 3092nd sign-up. It’s up there in the links, and maybe you already signed up, but guess what? “Supposedly”, Texas has decided to amend the bitch-whore situation!
Now, if they would take out the automated red light tickets…and the George Bush Turnpike.
This scam has bitten me, too. It all started when I got pulled over in a “random traffic check” and my TXDL had expired – I didn’t realize. That so-called “offense” has cost me several hundred dollars and has been the basis of police cruelty, including jail time and other harassment. It really *is* a vicious cycle – nobody tells you how much extortion fees you must pay to be left alone, or that they want to split it up into 3 annual parts (so that it’s easily forgotten) which automatically creates more “offenses” and secretly-issued warrants. What the heck?! This is supposed to resemble justice?! EVERYBODY needs to pressure lawmaker people to do the right thing, which in this case is to abolish the bad surcharge system and pay back the damaged parties, myself included.
Speaking of automated tickets, I learned yesterday that a camera is accusing my car of offending a red light. I don’t even drive anymore. But of course, if I don’t pay the company then they threaten to imprison me! One machine accusing another machine – and I pay them for it! What will they think of next?
FreeMan,
I agree. It’s just another way for them to get inside our cars and wallets. We are being bred to be subservient to the state and the corporations. Welcome to Poor and Angry!
My comment has nothing to do with the “Driver Responsibility Surcharge Program”, my comment is on the George Bush Tollway. I would like to appologize for straying from the subject.
I have always paid my tolls at the booth and until they did away with the toll-takers, have never had a problem. I admit, we spaced out paying the bill and I have no problem paying it and a reasonable late fee for not paying timely, but this is ridiculous. ($260 for 10 tolls all on one bill) Furthermore, I think if they are going to charge outrageous fees and hide behind the wording of the law, they should have to follow the whole law. I think that the keywords below are shall and option. They do not have toll takers for me to give my money to. Therefore they have given me no option on use of a transponder. I would honestly rather stop and pay per use rather than to get a bill in the mail. What are my options now? How can I fight this?
In the short version:
An authority shall operate its turnpike projects through a force of toll-takers and other employees of the authority.
The following entities shall consider offering motor vehicle operators the option of using a transponder to pay tolls without stopping
The longer version:
Laws of Texas Transportation Code
Sec. 366.182. Operation of Turnpike Project. (a) An authority shall operate its turnpike projects through a force of toll-takers and other employees of the authority or through services contracted under Subsection (b) or (c). (b) An authority may enter into an agreement with one or more persons to provide, on terms and conditions approved by the authority, personnel and services to design, construct, operate, maintain, expand, enlarge, or extend the authority’s turnpike projects. (c) An authority may contract with any state or local governmental entity for the services of peace officers of that agency.
Sec. 366.179. Use and Return of Transponders. (a) For purposes of this section, a transponder is a device placed on or within an automobile that is capable of transmitting or receiving information used to assess or collect tolls. A transponder is insufficiently funded if there is no money in the account for which the transponder was issued. (b) Any law enforcement or peace officer of an entity with which an authority has contracted under Section 366.182(c) may seize a stolen or insufficiently funded transponder and return it to the authority that issued the transponder. An insufficiently funded transponder may not be seized before the 30th day after the date that an authority has sent a notice of delinquency to the holder of the account. (c) The following entities shall consider offering motor vehicle operators the option of using a transponder to pay tolls without stopping, to mitigate congestion at toll locations, to enhance traffic flow, and to otherwise increase the efficiency of operations: (1) the authority; (2) an entity to which a project authorized by this chapter is transferred; or (3) a third party service provider under contract with an entity described by Subdivision (1) or (2). (d) Transponder customer account information, including contact and payment information and trip data, is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
I found my material at http://www.fastlaws.com/index.php?id=txtn
Hi, Jeff,
Yes, I’ve posted a little about the George Bush Turnpike. It’s on the Driver Responsibility – Using the Roads in Texas blog that I wrote in response to an article over at Grits for Breakfast.
My problem with the entire thing is this: Sure, the Tollway is a great way to move around, especially now since it’s been extended to go all the way down to I-20. As there are huge migrations to several areas, the Tollway gives a great alternative to being stuck in traffic and risking the rust-bucket overheating. I do not agree with the law that allowed the NTTA to use only a transponder in order to gather revenue, and I suspect that the law was passed for the purpose of them being able to do it. I also don’t like the fact that unpaid tolls can become a criminal charge that costs thousands of times more than the original toll.
I think I’ll post a little rant about it later, but I am far from having my facts straight. The worst part about the scenario is that there is no way to fight it. I now avoid the tollway, because I don’t want to buy a TollTag. I want to use the stupid road in times of emergency, and that’s it. But with the missing toll booth fad going on, I never know when I’ll run into another boothless road, like 121 for example. The signs are unclear, and a missing toll booth or operator adds to confusion.
What can I do to help repel this awful program. I have a good driving record, never once driven without insurance, and paid the fine (I didn’t have my new, current insurance card when stopped). Now on top of keeping up with my insurance all these years, paying a citation (foolishly), I have to pay $260.00 for three years. Why!!!! I feel worse for other people out there, I will be OK, I think. Everyone I tell about this program laughs because it sounds like the Mafia in Texas. When we got the letter, we thought we were victims of some type of scam, then realized it was a true state program. I have contacted several political offices and so far have gotten zero responses. This is crazy. What is the latest status on efforts to do something about this and what can I do? LP
Hi, Lori,
Yes, it’s a pretty tough system to beat. There are a few groups of people that are upset about it, and are actually trying to do something, although it’s a process. I read over at Grits for Breakfast that there is supposedly an overhaul to the surcharge system coming soon (this month? I can’t remember when), and especially noteworthy is an indigence clause that will allow folks to keep their licenses or drastically reduce their fines. If you are on Facebook, you can do a search for a group called “United Against the NTTA” – from what I understand, they are trying to do something…
The fight continues!
Excellent post. Looking forward to seeing you write more about this topic.