A MAJOR US city has increased its parking ticket fees for the first time in 14 years.
A new law that came into effect on 1 January will see parking fines increase by to up to $78 in some instances.
Before the rise, residents in Seattle, Washington, could expect fines ranging from $29 to $53 if they received a ticket – depending on the type of parking violation.
But the new fines will now range from $43 to $78 – representing a jump of more than 47%.
What’s more, at the high end of the scale, violations such as parking in a disabled-user space without a placard can result in an eye-watering $250 ticket.
The increase is the first time since 2011 that Seattle has raised the rates, with these Seattle courts claiming the new amounts account for the rise in inflation in that time.
The change also reflects the fact that private parking lots have boosted their prices in recent years.
The city’s new higher rates will likely lead to millions of dollars coming in in additional revenue each year.
New laws have come to a number of cities across the US from January 1 – including a ruling in Sarasota, Florida, that will make it even harder for drivers to fight parking tickets.
Those who want to appeal a citation will now be forced to pay a higher fee to appeal a violation.
From 1 January, the fee to appeal a ticket has jumped from $7.50 to $25 – with anyone slapped with a parking violation given the choice of either paying the fine or appealing it within 14 days.
Drivers who successfully win their appeal are reimbursed the fee, with roughly 600 parking tickets appealed each year and half of these upheld.
A new law has also been introduced in Colorado that will impose stricter penalties on motorists caught using their phones while behind the wheel – even at red lights.
Starting on January 1, holding a phone while driving will result in a $75 fine and two points on a driver’s license.
Repeat offenders face steeper penalties, with fines reaching $250, while the legislation extends to all drivers, unlike the previous rule that only targeted those under 18.
While hands-free accessories remain permitted, activities such as texting, scrolling social media, or using GPS directly on a handheld device are strictly prohibited.
Commercial drivers and those using phones to contact emergency services are exempt.
Kentucky has also introduced a new law which requires drivers to complete an eye exam before renewing their licence.
What’s more, drivers who fail the initial test will be required to undergo a further examination.
The eye test, which takes just one minute, must be conducted by an eye specialist who will then sign off the documentation upon the test’s completion.
Drivers will then need to present this document when visiting a licence registration office to update their records.
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