Bill Seeks Repeal of Driver Responsibility Program
A bill filed Monday by state Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock, seeks to repeal the controversial Driver Responsibility Program, which penalizes drivers convicted of certain traffic offenses with annual surcharges.
Gonzales' bill is just the latest in a years-long campaign by critics to put an end to a program they say is ineffective and unfair. But the program also provides millions of dollars to trauma centers across Texas, and the specter of eliminating those funds has emergency care providers worried.
"It would have a huge impact on the trauma system as we know it," said Dinah Welsh, CEO of the ...
Comments (11)
eyeswideopen
Some people with 1st time DUI's are now being punished more than those committing violent crimes. They also face double indemnity when being both criminally convicted and punished in criminal court, as well as being forced to pay $1,000 per year for a driver's license in civil court.
The criminal offense here is our legislature using designated funds to balance a budget that is not really balanced.
Brandon Estes via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It is my understanding that the State receives a fraction of what they predicted the program would generate because more often than not, people don't pay the fees. Texans are not aware of this program when they get a ticket, a DWI, or drive on suspended license and are surprised with the additional fees assessed at a later date. Often times Texans don't pay: the fees can range from $100 to $6,000 over three years. Many can't afford it and thus end up driving on suspended licensed (again) which means jail time if caught. So in the end, not only does the program not deliver on it's revenue promises, but it ultimately costs cities and counties more money by housing people in jail for driving on a suspended license, and the state more money to monitor program. And if you live in Texas you know that you almost have to drive because the public transit system is laughable.
Reda Dowe Smith Cavender via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think it's a stupid program.
Bruce Hinchey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Well with Obama care kicking in won't it be a moot point? I thought that was the purpose of Obamacare.
j. davis
Although it was finally enacted as part of HB 3588 by Krusee (an omnibus highways and transportation bill that also included the Trans Texas Corridor), it should not be forgotten that the DRP began its life as HB 3203 by Delisi and SB 1447 by Shapiro.
visule
The DRP is grossly unfair to Texans and absolutely must be repealed. Only people like Dinah Welsh who profit on other peoples misfortune would support it. How bout changing the laws to allow Trauma Centers to charge for services rendered.
Christine Lund
I think we are talking about innocent people too. People who did nothing wrong but get hit by someone without insurance and endured traumatic injuries that need to get care even if they have no medical insurance. I agree the fines are absurdly high and where does that money go? Fines should be assessed according to income. Right now, only the rich can afford to pay fines. I'm the one in the left lane with speed control on, using my blinkers and more scared of the police than the drunks.
Lillie Goodman
I have often referred to this surcharge as "extorsion fees". The MANY issues I have with this surcharge are : 1) the state doesn't have to inform you that they are charging you with this so most peole dont even know about it (a: that there is a surcharge or b: that they have been hit with it) until after thier license have already been suspended. 2) the state also does not inform you that your license has been suspended so, it's not until you get pulled over for any reason or while trying to renew or update your license, that you even know they are suspended which by the way, results in yet another surcharge that the state doesn't inform you of and the cycle starts all over. 3) the state never informed it's citizens of the exsistence of this surcharge or when it was going to be implemented (and most citizens still don't know) and it was not until I read this article that I knew where at least some of the funds went. I assumed it was like every other government extorsion program -- being used to line pockets!
When my nephew was ran over by an SUV, (that reckless driver didn't even get a ticket, according to the officer because it was dark and there was insufficient lighting) we certainly didn't know about the exsistance of this "trauma system" that is funded by this extorsion program and they (the trauma system)were certainly not forth coming so I'm not sure that they really help anyone with the outrageous medical bills. I know he is still getting phone calls and letters about the medical bills and ambulance ride!
I agree with penalizing reckless drivers if it is done fairly. I know several people who was hit with this surcharge that wasn't doing anything "reckless", so could you be more clear on that definition? Also, I've never heard of this "point system". How does one go about finding how many points they have on thier license? As it stands, I agree that the DRP should be abolished.
Jason Griggs
Well, guess what? You got someone with "one ticket". Now I have no license, haven't had one in 4 years. The state wants over 4,000 from me for it. For something I already did time over, paid outlandish amounts of money, paid my debt to society well over. I hope Dinah Welsh ends up with one, or how about a family member? You know how many people in my family are without licenses because of this ridiculous extortion "program"? All for small stuff, it's just that no one has any money. I guess now is as good of time as any to capitalize on Texans who are less fortunate, I mean after all you do have a budget crisis.... why not screw over another million or two. That's quite a number of people to be jobless... how do you get a job without a license anyway oh great and powerful CEO?
Paco Stanley
Mr. Gonzales
I would like to say thank you for fighting for us. The Texas Driver Responsibility Program is unfair and unjust.
It irritates me when I read what Dinah Welsh said "Drivers who are habitually reckless pay into the program," she said. "It's not for people who got one ticket. We've always thought that was a good connection — that reckless drivers help pay for the trauma system."
On ticket is all you need to fall into the vicious cycle.
I received a ticket for no insurance in 2006, I was in college when let my insurance expire, I needed the cash (bad Idea).
I was pulled over and got slammed with a no insurance ticket ( a $300 fine) , I ate Ramen Noodles for a few months and paid the $300 fine. Since the fine was more than the cost of the insurance, I learned my lesson and have kept my insurance up to date since. I received a letter in the mail a few month later, about 5-6 months, telling me that my Driver Licenses was suspended for not paying the surcharge associated with my no insurance ticket. I did not know anything about the surcharge and never heard of the Texas Driver Responsibility program.
I called DPS and was told that I had to pay $260 dollars for the next three years on top of the $300 fine for driving without insurance.
I tried to make the payments but money was tight so I just stopped paying. I am one of the luck few, I did not get pulled over once during this time.
Now that I am out of school, have a decent job, I decided to pay my surcharges. I called DPS and was placed on the payment plan and got my license reinstated.
Everything was fine until these last few months…
We had our hours cut at work so I had to make a few tough choices…
I cut the Cable, Internet and Netflix’s to make ends meet, then my alternator goes out and sets me back $221 at Auto Zone.
That set me back so I decided to skip the surcharge payment for this month and just pay in December and cut back on Christmas.
I figured if I just drove to work and back, I would not have any problems.
That was not the case.
I was pulled over for a headlight that was out.
The officer was nice enough to give me a warning for the headlight but, I received a $320 ticket for driving on a suspended license. On top of that, now I am going to have to pay another $100 surcharge for the next three years.
I don’t know how I am going to pay the $320 ticket and now I have another monthly payment that I won’t be able to afforded.
I don’t have many options left.
I have to pay the $320 ticket first or I go to jail. Since I have to do that, I can’t afford to make the payments on the surcharge.
My options are.
Do I keep driving to work on a suspended driver license, try to make a living and figure a way out of this vicious cycle?
Or,
Do I stop going to work for fear of getting pulled over, lose my job, live off the Government and become an Obama supporter?
Please continue to fight for us.
Thank you.
Struggling Texan.
Moises Salinas
My story:
Stopped for a minor thing, Given a warning for that but my cop found my licence was expired by a month. I was given a ticket and paid it and renewed my licence that same week. I was sent a letter stating I had to pay $100 every year for the next three years. Paid them as the bills came in. I moved cities and found a new job. I got pulled over some time later and they told me my licence was suspended. I was not aware of this for I had not gotten any mail or notice stating that my licence had been suspended. Now I need to pay a ticket for driving with a suspended licence in addition to more surcharges. I am a teacher and as such a man of modest means. I always want to be avobe the law but feel the crime, a one month expired licence, does not fit the punishment, over $1000 dollars in fines.
My story is mild compared to many who have had their insurance lapse and then had to pay $260 every year for three years. I can definitly understand the milion individuals who would rather drive illegaly then pay such high fines.
Why is this law still in the books? There is an atmosphere in Austin that they must not raise any more taxes but they must also keep a balanced budget. Though more then half of the people do not pay, many do which gives the state an insentive towards continuing the law.
They however do not consider the hidden costs. This bill takes away the valuable time of the justice department and more then one person has lost his job and now has to rely on welfare because they can no longer work because they cannot afford their fines. This is also causing much hardship to many working class citizens and in the big picture, the law does not bring enough money into the state to justify all of the harm it causes.
I support Larry 100% and hope this law will be repealed soon.