The state of Virginia this past weekend used the weakness of motorists to solve the state’s $2.2 billion budget deficit. According to reports, Virginia’s revenue-pumping ticket blitz resulted in an outstanding 7,016 traffic tickets this past weekend.

Apparently, tax dollars helped fund Virginia’s budget-fixing move with overtime for the state troopers being paid via a federal grant.

Of the 7,016 traffic tickets, 3,536 were speeding tickets. Most troopers issued 717 citations for reckless driving, “judgment call” ticket that can be handed out for speeding as little as 10 or 15 mph over the speed limit. The ticket comes with a eye-popping fine of as much as $2,500.

Speaking about the two day ticketing spree, Colonel W. Steven Flaherty of Virginia State Police said that “it is discouraging to see so many motorists on our interstates putting themselves and others at risk by failing to comply with speed limits, to buckle up, and to drive sober.”

On a side note, Virginia’s road fatalities are down 20 percent this year alone.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Newspaper.com (via Truth About Cars, AutoObserver)