WASHINGTON - Facing a huge budget gap, Maryland is looking for creative ways to raise money, including charging drivers more when they get pulled over.
In fact, under a proposal from Gov. Martin O'Malley, you could be paying off a ticket for three years.
Part of O'Malley's budget proposal would charge drivers who pick up more than five points on their license in a two-year span $100 per point, per year for three years.
Since reckless driving carries a penalty of six points, that would add $300 to a ticket, on top of the fine.
Getting caught going 20 mph over the speed limit on a highway adds five points to your license. So do that twice, and you'll owe an extra $1,500.
The plan is similar to the the bad driving fees Virginia imposed on its residents in 2007. After an uproar, Virginia's law was quickly repealed, and the fees were refunded.
Maryland's General Assembly has to approve the proposal before it takes effect.
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At one point in time, it was a family matter:
State Police: Busch's Wife Charged with DUI
The wife of Maryland House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) was arrested this week on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, authorities said.
Maryland State Police issued four traffic citations to Cynthia F. Abbott Busch, 51, of Annapolis: driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under influence of alcohol per se, driving while impaired by alcohol and entering intersection at red flashing traffic signal without stopping.
The incident began shortly before midnight Tuesday when a state trooper saw Busch's car driving northbound on Bladen Street, police said. Busch's 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor passed without stopping through the intersection of Calvert Street, which had a flashing red light, police said. The car continued north on Rowe Boulevard, and the trooper stopped it after it turned onto Herbert Sachs Road.
According to a statement issued by state police, when the trooper approached the driver, who was alone in the vehicle, "he smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage."
After investigating, the trooper arrested Busch a few minutes after midnight on Wednesday morning and took her to the Glen Burnie barracks for processing. After signing the citations, which police note was not an admission of guilt, Busch was released to her husband, who picked her up at the barracks at 2 a.m.
A statement issued this afternoon by the speaker's office said, "This is a regrettable incident that is being dealt with as a family matter. Mrs. Busch accepts responsibility for her actions, and she will cooperate fully as the legal process moves forward."
-William Wan
By Anne Bartlett | August 1, 2008; 1:43 PM ET
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