tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post3959589466135263239..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Unexplored costs from DPS surcharge harm safety, economyGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40476260242179149982010-08-31T12:37:21.579-05:002010-08-31T12:37:21.579-05:00I had a DWI in 2005 and served out my jail time. ...I had a DWI in 2005 and served out my jail time. When I couldn't afford to pay the 186.00 a month for the 3,000 (for three years) on the surcharge, they took away my license. I live in the country away from any business that I could get a job at. They want me to work and make money to pay the fees (fines) but I can't work unless I have a driver's license to get to a job. The DRP is just about as Unconstitutional as you can get. It is a FINE! They say fee, but they only say fee because a double fine would be illegal. Any way you look at it, the fines and fees are still money you owe. The DPS has ruined my life - I haven't been able to drive for five years so I can't better myself in the slightest.Al Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15950978573483978247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-11507724146197215512010-08-02T20:01:14.273-05:002010-08-02T20:01:14.273-05:00near perfect driving record, a ticket for no insur...near perfect driving record, a ticket for no insurence while test driving- I went to station and said so- but maybe there was a court date.. i can't get to what was my home from my ex husbands where my outa state mother sends rent for me to be by my teenager- etc all because of this- and I'm suicidal but i have a child so I can't be. <br /> I can't drive for fear of arrest- I had to take a bus out of state when my mother was ill, I had to take my daughter and her friend on a bus... to a lake for vacation.. I can't go to the store with the money my mother sends... I thought I paid the ticket when I renewed my liscense a cpl years ago, and then I got a ticket for no insurence etc, no anything, becauyse they canceled my insurence because of that ticket! and if this makes no sense - who cares- i am as if dead already- that is what happens to people who trusted this state.<br /><br /> 84 year old mother needs me, my 17 year old daughter needs me my mothers 290 mileaway house needs fixed and sold so child can go to college- shoot me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-23966404933305312082010-07-13T16:28:16.734-05:002010-07-13T16:28:16.734-05:00This surcharge has ruined my life. At 46 years ol...This surcharge has ruined my life. At 46 years old now I've been driving for a long time without any problems. When I sped I got a ticket and I paid the ticket. Now they want me to pay the ticket and then pay for it again and again and again. Forgive me if I'm wrong here, but I thought that was illegal and unconstitutional. Apparently it's o.k. tho if you're the Texas DPS. But I'm still thinking not only "no" but "HELL NO". So without any notice to me or hearing or court date or anything remotely as such my license was revoked. Without a license I could not buy insurance. So now I'm driving without a license and without insurance. So when the police run my plates it lets them know this. And they pull me over. So the car is impounded. This happened twice now. I can't get my cars back either. Why? Because you are required to have proof of insurance to get them back. And that's where we get to begin all over again. So now at 46 years of age I'm walking to work. In the Texas heat, on roads with no sidewalks.3wjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15425651435906319155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-36449644849921627882010-03-13T08:27:25.862-06:002010-03-13T08:27:25.862-06:00I generally agree with your analysis, and I abhor ...I generally agree with your analysis, and I abhor the hardship the surcharge system puts on people. I am also infuriated by the dishonesty in calling this a "remediation" as opposed to a fine.<br /><br />However, I did have one question about your figures. Did you take into account a reduction in the losses due to uninsured motorist coverage? I suspect it is negligible, nevertheless, I am curious.Scott Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02531656335570963938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-35269845049954262792010-03-11T08:04:11.890-06:002010-03-11T08:04:11.890-06:00The only way to fix the problem is to eliminate th...The only way to fix the problem is to eliminate the problem, entirely. The DRP is nothing more than a fine disguised as a fee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com