In a press conference Thursday, Governor Timothy M. Kaine and several other high state government officials reaffirmed their support for the abusive driver fees included in the Comprehensive Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007.

They say the fees are to target Virginia's more dangerous and "habitually abusive drivers." They also gathered to say the legislature will work to find a way to apply these fees to all drivers, not just Virginia residents. And safe drivers have nothing to fear regarding these fees, according to the representatives.

Along with Kaine, House Speaker William J. Howell, Senate Majority Leader Walter A. Stosch, House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith and VA Secretary of Transportation Pierce R. Homer were on hand for the announcement. The executive director of the Virginia chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Chris Konschak, was also present.

Howell says, "We are here to underscore the real, bi-partisan support that exists for improving Virginia’s transportation system and for making our roads and highways safer. Deterring dangerous and abusive driving has always been and remains the primary focus of the abuser fee provisions of the new transportation law. Safe drivers with only minor traffic infractions or occasional speeding tickets have nothing to fear from the abuser fee legislation.

Kaine says the effects of these fees will be closely monitored in the coming months, to see just what happens and how effective the fees really are.

Konschak says, “MADD supports efforts to stop drunk driving in Virginia by increasing penalties on persons found in violation of the DUI laws. The heightened awareness surrounding the increased penalties has provided anecdotal information that Virginia’s drivers are taking notice and making greater efforts to comply with the law."

A revised version of the law, including a list of the potential offenses, is available online for anyone to view. See the link below this article.

Transcript of House Speaker William J. Howell's Speech
--> Parts introducing other speakers have been removed from this transcript

“I thank you all for joining us to discuss the civil remedial fees – or ‘abuser fees’ – included in HB 3202, the Comprehensive Transportation Funding and Reform Act of 2007.

“Today, I am joined by Senate Majority Leader Walter Stosch, House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, Virginia’s Secretary of Transportation, Pierce Homer, Chris Konschak, Executive Director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Virginia, and, of course, Virginia’s Governor Tim Kaine.

“It may seem extraordinary that all of us are assembled in the same room to publicly voice our agreement on the same issue. But, our shared commitment to improving transportation in the Commonwealth – and to the success of the compromise transportation plan that went into effect just 19 days ago – compels us to reach across party lines and set aside normal rivalries to do what is best for the people we serve.

“Today, we are here to underscore the real, bi-partisan support that exists for improving Virginia’s transportation system and for making our roads and highways safer.

“Deterring dangerous and abusive driving has always been and remains the primary focus of the abuser fee provisions of the new transportation law. I believe most Virginians agree that making our roads safer against drunk drivers and other unsafe driving practices is eminently sensible and desirable.

“Safe drivers with only minor traffic infractions or occasional speeding tickets have nothing to fear from the abuser fee legislation.

“Contrary to what critics and others committed to unraveling the transportation plan have claimed, there is no such thing as a $3,000 speeding ticket. There is no $1,000 fee for not using your turn signal.

“But, real abusers – those who will have accumulated since July 1, 2007 a chronic record of dangerous driving that endangers the safety of everyone on the road – will and should pay for their reckless behavior.

“Like Governor Kaine has said, ‘The dangerous behavior of unsafe drivers threatens the safety of other drivers and causes accidents that create congestion. Those drivers should be financially accountable for their actions.’ We here all agree.

“And, that’s why responsible and respected organizations like MADD, the AAA Clubs of Virginia, Driver Smart Virginia and others have been so steadfast in their support of abuser fees.

“Governor Kaine, the Senate (by a vote of 29-10), and the House (by a strong bipartisan vote of 85-15) approved on April 4 the landmark transportation package of which the abuser fees are a part. Because a comprehensive approach to transportation must address improving roadway safety, abuser fees were an essential part of the plan approved by legislators and the Governor.

“These fees will curtail dangerous driving practices that can lead to serious injuries and regularly increase congestion on our roadways. Their passage was a positive step forward, as Secretary Homer, MADD, AAA, Driver Smart Virginia and others here and beyond can attest.

“The clearly expressed intent of legislators and Governor Kaine was that these fees be focused on those who commit serious traffic offenses and repeatedly abuse the rules of our roads.

“To ensure this result, further clarification or small revisions to the Code can be made in the 2008 Session. To remove any doubt – unfounded or not – we will make it abundantly clear that abuser fees are not applicable to drivers who commit only minor traffic infractions.

“Likewise, it always has been our intent to treat all drivers equally. To achieve this result, legislators and Governor Kaine already have stated and we here today are reaffirming our commitment to work cooperatively between now and January to find a way to have out-of-state drivers subjected to these fees.

“I want to remind everyone of the context that motivated us to take the initiative in the first place and to act: our principled belief that we could do better than the status quo. Virginians wanted action on transportation and we delivered.

“As Speaker and as a responsible public servant, it is in the public interest to clear up the many mischaracterizations about abuser fees, and resolve any lingering misapprehension about them.

“After all, they are but one part of a much larger landmark transportation agreement that includes a robust $3 billion bonding package for roads, rail and transit projects throughout the state, land-use reforms to better empower local governments to fight sprawl, and VDOT reforms to modernize the delivery of transportation services for a better, more prosperous and safer future.

“Governing effectively means solving problems. It requires leadership not playing political games. That’s what today’s news conference is all about.

“Initiative and bold leadership is what enabled us to defy the cynics this year, address Virginia’s urgent transportation needs, and accomplish the most substantial investment in our Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure in over 20 years.

“It was a policy success – measured not merely by words but by our willingness and ability to act and to do so in the best interest of all Virginians.

“I’m optimistic that between now and the upcoming session, the Governor, House and Senate – Democrats and Republicans – can and will continue working to show real leadership on this issue.