One state tacks on hidden traffic fees making | Tech News

In California, your rushing ticket will not be totally what it appears.

Californians are paying greater costs than their counterparts across the nation, and now teams are urging the state to rethink its practices. Some residents clarify they’ll’t afford primary tickets once they make traffic errors.

Kris Kahrs is one, and he or she obtained a ticket after driving by way of an intersection in April 2025. She was caught on the purple gentle digital camera driving by way of the intersection as a result of she thought she might make it by way of the yellow gentle.

When her ticket got here within the mail, it was 4 instances the quotation price. It had a bail quantity of $486, regardless of the very fact the quotation itself was simply $100.

Why are California traffic tickets more costly?

California’s traffic fines are the best within the nation, in line with the Fines and Fees Justice Center.

The value of fines in California is set by the state legislature and Judicial Council. But state and county governments have the authority so as to add surcharges and fees to these fines.

The state receives about 50% of traffic high quality income, whereas the county sees 40%. Cities and different assortment applications obtain about 10% of traffic violation income.

CBS News discovered that these additional fees are supposed so as to add to the state’s income, however the plan will not be working. California nonetheless faces a multi-billion-dollar deficit, and income continues to lower yearly.

How long has California been upping the price of traffic tickets?

California’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee accomplished a state audit almost 10 years in the past. It discovered “seemingly arbitrary” fees that have been “not directly connected to the offense” or clearly “based on program needs,” per CBS News.

At the time, the auditor urged the state to reconsider the fee structure entirely. A decade later, and the fees are still in place.

Because of the high price of the tickets, many times they just go unpaid, says Brandon Greene of the Western Center on Law and Poverty. He added that the people most impacted are often low-income drivers.

In response to CBS News’ questioning Gov. Gavin Newsom about the fees, a spokesperson from the California State Transportation Agency said in a statement:

“The state believes traffic-related fees needs to be applicable, clear, and encourage secure and accountable driving. Every Californian deserves secure roads and a honest system of accountability,” said Kimberly Erickson, with the CSTA.

“We proceed to work with the legislature, courts, and native companions to make sure penalties advance public security whereas sustaining reasonably priced entry to transportation for all Californians.”