Pennsylvania Driver Loses License for 1985 DUI
August 18, 2010 by FlyEagles · 3 Comments
In a very strange, and equally unfair, ruling a man had his driver’s license suspended for a DUI conviction, stemming from an incident that took place in 1985. The story is a bit confusing, so try to keep up. David Dick, an Ohio resident at the time, was arrested in Maine for OUI in 1985. He was informed by a Maine attorney that Ohio and Maine didn’t have a “reciprocity agreement” – when each state agrees to prosecute its own citizens for violating another state’s DUI laws. As a result, he could return to Ohio and never deal with the Maine charges. He did so, however, a year later he moved to Pennsylvania – which DOES have a reciprocity agreement with Maine. Consequently, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot) revoked Mr. Dick’s license in 1986. Pennsylvania and Maine officials then assured him that by an alcoholism education and treatment program, the DUI charge and license suspension would be disposed of. Although he completed the program, due to a clerical error, Maine never removed the DUI offense from his record and twelve years later he was notified that he was still considered a fugitive in that state. So, in 2004, to clear his name and put the matter behind him, Mr. Dick traveled back to Maine and resolved the issue by paying a fine and spending a night in jail. So, finally – in 2004 – Maine finally recorded, and resolved, Mr. Dick’s DUI conviction. Five years later, however, he was convicted of another DUI in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania law “includes a mandatory license suspension for repeat offenders,” however, a DUI offense is only considered a “repeat” if it happens with ten years of the prior conviction. Mr. Dick’s original DUI took place in 1985, but the conviction wasn’t recorded until 2004 – well within the ten years that makes a 2nd DUI conviction a “repeat” offense. After several court proceedings, an Pennsylvania appellate judge ruled the word “conviction” meant exactly that, regardless of when the event actually took place, and Mr. Dick’s license was suspended.
Pennsylvania Governor Proposes Tolling, Taxing and Ticketing to Balance Budget
July 22, 2010 by FlyEagles · 7 Comments
If he gets his way, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell’s 2011 budget will ride on the backs of the state’s drivers. Raising next year’s budget by $200 million compared to that of last year’s, will require more fees, fines, and citations – all of which are covered in the new plan. Testifying in front of the state Senate Transportation Committee, Rendell boasted about a plan to use the private company InsureNet – which uses photo-enforcement to catch drivers whose information doesn’t appear in the insurance database. So, if you’re an hour late with your insurance renewal, you will be fined. Rendell’s partner in crime, Lobbyist Wayne Pettigrew, testified in March about InsureNet’s system which would cost the state nothing. “We provide all the equipment, all the direct costs, the whole thing,” he said. Additionally, Rendell wants a similar no-cost program to expand red light cameras throughout the state – instead of just in Philadelphia, as it is now.
Cinnaminson Gets Closer to Red-Light Cameras
June 28, 2010 by FlyEagles · 7 Comments
The city Cinnaminson has had three of its intersections qualify for New Jersey’s red-light camera program and may soon have the devices implemented and activated along various roads. According to Mayor Anthony Minniti, the intersections were approved because of the “number of rear-end accidents, side-impact collisions and traffic counts.” However, before being installed, New Jersey’s Department of Transportation must give their blessing in order for the program to move forward. “We can’t do anything until the state approves it. Just because it qualifies doesn’t mean you can put the cameras,” Minniti said. Acceptance is based on data showing “a history of red-light infractions at specific intersections” and “efforts such as engineering, enforcement and education have not been effective in decreasing violations and accidents.” Earlier in the month, Newark reported more than 20,000 tickets had been written, generating more than $500,000 in revenue during the first five months of its photo-enforcement program.
ATV, SUV Crash Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Critical
March 1, 2010 by FlyEagles · 6 Comments
The driver of an ATV was killed when he pulled in front of an SUV at the intersection of Torresdale and Kinsey Street. The passenger in the ATV, a woman, is in critical condition. Although police believe the ATV made an illegal turn in front of the SUV, the driver of the SUV, who was not hurt, is being held on suspicion of DUI.
