Here's an idea -- if our law enforcement DUI efforts are insufficient, if our public education efforts fail, if our children are not properly sensitized to drunk driving issues, and we run out of ideas to fix a problem, why not make all of the other other drivers who aren't a problem pay about $5.7 $7.3 BILLION to fix it?
Yeah, that's the ticket. From the Wilkesberry Times Leader:
Yeah, that's the ticket. From the Wilkesberry Times Leader:
A bill sent to the state House Committee on Transportation Friday would require a breathalyzer ignition system be installed in new cars sold within the state and retrofitted into existing cars.
House Bill 875, sponsored by Bucks CountyDemocrat[Republican] Paul Clymer, would require an ignition interlock system in every motor vehicle manufactured for use in Pennsylvania on or after Dec. 31, 2008. The law would also require vehicle owners to retrofit their cars with the system by Dec. 31, 2009.
There are about 6 7.7+ million passenger cars registered in the Commonwealth. The devices cost between $700 and $1200 -- an average of $950. At the average expense, the bill for fitting the devices on all registered passenger vehicles in the state would be about $5.7 $7.3 Billion. At the uppermost estimate of $1200, this indirect tax would exceed $7.9 $9 Billion.
Oh, that's JUST BRILLIANT.
{UPDATE: My figures on PA passenger vehicle registrations were a little dated. As of 2005 there were over 7.7 million passenger vehicles registered in the Commonwealth. So the headline should read $7.3 Billion.}
{Photo Credit: Pile of Cash, Collections with Causes}
Oh, that's JUST BRILLIANT.
{UPDATE: My figures on PA passenger vehicle registrations were a little dated. As of 2005 there were over 7.7 million passenger vehicles registered in the Commonwealth. So the headline should read $7.3 Billion.}
{Photo Credit: Pile of Cash, Collections with Causes}
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4 comments:
Um, what a great idea! Maybe having those convicted of DUI/DWI pay for a retro-fitting for a breathalyzer.
Doesn't pay to follow the rules sometimes does it.
And probably if you checked on investments of the company or companies that make the breathalyzers, you'd find a couple of state reps who are preparing to cash in.
It's probably time for a pay raise-- after all it's hard work coming up with creative, new and improved ways to screw over the citizens of this state.
blandly, you know in thin king about it some more, I'd love to see the stats on how many of those 7 million cars aren't even worth the $1000 bucks it would take to retrofit with the big bro device. I couldn't figure what that guy was thinking in proposing the bill or how the hell it got out of committee.
But then comes along anonymous with a brilliant insight . . . follow the money.
^^^ note to blandly urbane-
PA already DOES have a law stating that convicted DUI'ers must have a mandatory device installed at their cost. There are only 5 State authorized installation centers, not surprisingly some are in Clymers district. There are also only 6 authorized devices costing between $950 and $1250. This has already been sent to the Transportation Committee for debate and approval.
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