Motorists Beware: Ticket Fines Are Up

It finally happened to me. After almost 12 years with a squeaky-clean driving record, I got a ticket last month. My “bail amount” was $230, plus $64 to sign up for traffic school, and I thought that was steep.

As of Jan. 6, the state of California has raised the fines on traffic violations. 

The following is a list of the most common traffic violations likely to affect Agoura Hills drivers, and the current fines. 

Failure to obey license provisions or failure to notify the DMV of an address change within 10 days will cost you $214. Failure to produce evidence of financial responsibility costs a hefty $796.

As for moving violations, failure to stop at a red light now runs $436, and driving at an unsafe speed can go as high as $328. 

Tempted to text or make calls while driving? Think again. Driving while using a wireless phone, not hands-free, can cost up to $256, and driving while using a wireless device to send, read or write a text is $148.

Violations in and around school zones or buses can drain your bank account. If you pass a school bus with flashing red signals, you’ll be shelling out $616. Parking in a bus loading area will cost you $976.

Don’t be tempted to park in a handicapped zone. Violation of disabled parking provisions is $976 for a first offense, and $1,876 for a second offense.

Finally, when loading the family into the car, make sure everyone has their seat belts on. Failure to use a seat belt will cost you $148, and not restraining your child properly will net a $436 fine.

Be careful out there.