Protect The Rights Of Texas Drivers From Costly Government Overreach
- by: Just Liberty
- recipient: Texas State Representatives
Ever paid a traffic ticket, then discovered there was another hefty set of fees you had to pay every year, for three years? Many Texans can't afford these fees – cynically named the Driver Responsibility Surcharge – and lose their driver's license over it.
For a number of common offenses like driving with no insurance or an invalid license, Texas imposes a civil surcharge on top of criminal penalties for the same infraction. This additional punishment has effectively created 1.3 million unlicensed motorists in the state who are unable to pay the exorbitant surcharges of this Orwellian program. Many drivers have now gone without a license for years because of the program.
If the justice system already ensures due process and punishment in the case of traffic violations, and the Fifth Amendment protects us from double jeopardy for a single offense, then the DRP surcharge is both excessive and unconstitutional.
But the program, which was created as a revenue generator for trauma hospitals and the state general fund, is a failure even on its own terms. Since its 2003 inception, Texas has collected less than half of all assessed surcharges. And everyone who doesn't pay loses their license. The DRP has become a poverty trap which fails to improve driver behavior OR responsibility, has an abysmally low collection rate, and has generated a massive backlog of unnecessary, low-level court cases.
Legislation has been filed at the Texas Legislature to repeal this program and end this injustice – now, we need your voice. Sign the petition to protect the rights of drivers from government overreach by encouraging your legislators to get rid of driver surcharges in 2017.
For a number of common offenses like driving with no insurance or an invalid license, Texas imposes a civil surcharge on top of criminal penalties for the same infraction. This additional punishment has effectively created 1.3 million unlicensed motorists in the state who are unable to pay the exorbitant surcharges of this Orwellian program. Many drivers have now gone without a license for years because of the program.
If the justice system already ensures due process and punishment in the case of traffic violations, and the Fifth Amendment protects us from double jeopardy for a single offense, then the DRP surcharge is both excessive and unconstitutional.
But the program, which was created as a revenue generator for trauma hospitals and the state general fund, is a failure even on its own terms. Since its 2003 inception, Texas has collected less than half of all assessed surcharges. And everyone who doesn't pay loses their license. The DRP has become a poverty trap which fails to improve driver behavior OR responsibility, has an abysmally low collection rate, and has generated a massive backlog of unnecessary, low-level court cases.
Legislation has been filed at the Texas Legislature to repeal this program and end this injustice – now, we need your voice. Sign the petition to protect the rights of drivers from government overreach by encouraging your legislators to get rid of driver surcharges in 2017.
Dear [Decisionmaker],
This legislative session, please do all you can to repeal the Driver Responsibility Program. This failed program has wreaked havoc on the state and it's time to end it.
Poor Texans who already struggle to pay for auto insurance get snowed under by the blizzard of surcharges associated with this program. As of this writing, more than 1.3 million motorists in Texas have suspended licenses because they couldn't pay DRP surcharges.
Many Texas drivers have now gone unlicensed for many years, making it tough to gain employment and putting them at risk of more tickets every time they drive to the store or take their kids to school The hardship put on them through the senseless DRP doesn't end there. It puts a strain on their mobility, employment, and even their housing. This simply can't continue.
HB 67 by Rep. James White and HB 275 by Larry Gonzales have already been filed at the Texas Legislature to repeal the Driver Responsibility Program. Please add your name as a co-author.
I would also like to see an Amnesty program written into the law for those whose licenses are already suspended. Too many people have been harmed and repeal alone won't undo the damage that's been done.
I trust that you will take a strong stance this legislative session to repeal the Driver Responsibility Program and protect the rights of Texas drivers. I would love to see you sign on as a coauthor HB 67 or HB 275 and work hard to ensure its passage.
[Your Comment]
Thank you for everything you can do to get rid of this terrible law.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
Sign PetitionSign PetitionThis legislative session, please do all you can to repeal the Driver Responsibility Program. This failed program has wreaked havoc on the state and it's time to end it.
Poor Texans who already struggle to pay for auto insurance get snowed under by the blizzard of surcharges associated with this program. As of this writing, more than 1.3 million motorists in Texas have suspended licenses because they couldn't pay DRP surcharges.
Many Texas drivers have now gone unlicensed for many years, making it tough to gain employment and putting them at risk of more tickets every time they drive to the store or take their kids to school The hardship put on them through the senseless DRP doesn't end there. It puts a strain on their mobility, employment, and even their housing. This simply can't continue.
HB 67 by Rep. James White and HB 275 by Larry Gonzales have already been filed at the Texas Legislature to repeal the Driver Responsibility Program. Please add your name as a co-author.
I would also like to see an Amnesty program written into the law for those whose licenses are already suspended. Too many people have been harmed and repeal alone won't undo the damage that's been done.
I trust that you will take a strong stance this legislative session to repeal the Driver Responsibility Program and protect the rights of Texas drivers. I would love to see you sign on as a coauthor HB 67 or HB 275 and work hard to ensure its passage.
[Your Comment]
Thank you for everything you can do to get rid of this terrible law.
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
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