Residents and visitors of California should be on the alert when driving because the state passed new limits for traffic violation fines that took effect on January 6, 2012. Not only do you have to pay attention to your speed, what lane you drive in and what you do while behind the wheel but you must also double check the paperwork you have with you in the vehicle. Make sure when you drive that you always have your license, registration and insurance paperwork with you at all times. If you would like a preview of some of the new fines, here are just a couple:
Should you not stop at a red light, be prepared to pay a fine of at least $436. If you decide to pass a school bus that has its flashing red lights on then you should be prepared to pay a fine of at least $616. You can accrue close to $1,000 in parking tickets should you illegally park in a handicapped parking spot even just for a couple of minutes. The remainder of the new fine schedule is below from the State of California’s Division of Motor Vehicles.
        Traffic Ticket Fines (Effective 01/06/2012)Â
VC 12814.6Â Â Â Â Â $214Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Failure to obey license provisions.
VC 14600(A)Â Â Â Â $214Â Â Â Â Â Â Failure to notify DMV of address change within 10 days
Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.
VC 16028(A)Â Â Â Â $796Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility (insurance)
Note: This fine may be reduced with proof of insurance on or after the violation date.
VC 21453(A)Â Â Â $436Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Failure to stop at a red signal.
VC 22349          $214       Unsafe speed, 1 to 15 miles over the limit.
VC 22350Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $328Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Unsafe speed, 16 to 25 miles over the limit.
VC 22450Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $214Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Failure to stop at a stop sign.
VC 22454(A)Â Â Â Â Â $616Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Passing a school bus with flashing red signals.
VC 23123(A)Â Â Â Â Â $148Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Driving while using a wireless phone not hands free, first offense.
VC 23123(B)     $256       Driving while using a wireless phone not hands not free, each subsequent offense.
VC 23123.5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $148Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Driving while using a wireless device to send, read or write text.
VC 23124Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $148Â Â Â Â Â Â Minor driving while using a wireless phone.
VC 22500Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $976Â Â Â Â Â Â Parking in a bus loading area.
VC 22507(A)Â Â Â Â Â Â $976Â Â Â Â Â Â Violation of disabled parking provisions, first offense.
VC 22507(B)Â Â Â Â $1876Â Â Â Â Â Â Violation of disabled parking provisions, second offense.
VC 26708Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $178Â Â Â Â Â Â Unlawful material on vehicle windows.
VC 27150Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $178Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Adequate muffler required.
VC 27315Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $148Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mandatory use of seat belts.
VC 27360Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $436Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mandatory use of passenger child restraints.
Note: This fine may be reduced by completing a court authorized child seat diversion program.
VC 27400Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $178Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Headsets or Earplugs covering both ears.
VC 27803Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $178Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Violation of motorcycle safety helmet requirements.
VC 34506Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $616Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Commercial Driver – Log book violation.
VC 4000Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $256Â Â Â Â Â Â Â No evidence of current registration.
Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.
VC 4159Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $178Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Notify DMV of change of address within 10 days.
Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.
VC 5200Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $178Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Proper display of license plates.
Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.
VC 9400Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $178Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Commercial weight fees due.
Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction