Charlottesville set to expand speeding fine

By Stephanie Kassab | 978-7274
Published: June 15, 2008

Charlottesville’s City Council is expected Monday to expand its $200 speeding fine to three additional city streets and to raise utility rates.

The council will decide whether to levy a $200 fine, in addition to the penalties required by state law, on Elliott Avenue, Brandywine Drive and Franklin Street. That fine will be on top of the $61 court fee and a $7 charge for every mile per hour over the speed limit.

The city enacted the extra $200 fine in September on Old Lynchburg Road, from the city limits to Jefferson Park Avenue; Avon Street, from the city limits to Monticello Avenue; and Altavista Avenue, from Monticello Avenue to Avon Street.

Jeannie Alexander, a city traffic engineer, said that the fines have been effective in getting drivers to slow down. The speed at which 85 percent of vehicles travel on all three roads has decreased by an average of 2 mph, she said, with the greatest reduction on Old Lynchburg.

“The biggest thing is this is just another tool to abide by the speed limits, which improves the safety of our citizens,” Alexander said.

On Old Lynchburg Road, the number of citations decreased by 31 percent, officials said. Data collected for Avon and Altavista, however, were not as conclusive.

The new data have helped change the minds of some critics of the hefty fines. Councilor David Brown was skeptical of the ordinance last year, but now believes it has been effective.

“I’m willing to go along with this where it’s clear that the neighborhood wants it,” Brown said during the council’s June 2 meeting. “I think we should be careful about understanding that it’s a tool.”

Councilor Holly Edwards, who was not on the council when the fines were initially passed, said she supports the measure because the fines have acted as a deterrent.

“The goal is to change driving behavior and to create a culture that when you drive in Charlottesville, you know you have to slow down,” Edwards said.

For Jeanne Chase, who lives on Old Lynchburg, nothing less than the current $200-plus fine is acceptable.

Chase noted that there are five blind curves, more than 40 driveways, an open drain ditch and no sidewalk on Old Lynchburg — all the more reason, she said, to support the fines.

“The drivers that choose to speed … choose their tickets,” Chase said. “It would be really great in addition to the $200 minimum traffic fine if these people would lose their license on the spot and have to do without their car for at least 30 days, plus the fine, plus court costs.”

Utility rate increases

City residents can expect to see water rates increase by about 5 percent. The average residential household water bill would go up from $34.30 to $36.02 if the council approves new rates Monday.

The increase stems from three areas: a decrease in usage from city and University of Virginia customers; an increase in operating costs; and an increase in the rate the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority charges the city for the water.

Wastewater rates would increase by 8.3 percent, with the average residential household bill rising from $30.86 to $33.43. An increase in the wholesale rate charged by the RWSA, a rise in operating costs and an estimated 2 percent decrease in flow are all responsible for the hike in sewer rates.

Lastly, the average bill for customers of city gas — which includes Albemarle County customers — would jump from $141.43 to $148.95 per month. The jump in gas rates results from a reduction in usage by customers; the city’s increased operating costs; and its available pipeline and storage capacity.

Colette Hall is among those city residents who oppose the increase in utility rates.

“City residents have already been under the burden of increased utility rates in the past few years,” Hall said at the June 2 council meeting. “Utilities are not a luxury, but a necessity, no matter the socio-economic level.”

City spokesman Ric Barrick noted that the city offers assistance programs to help residents pay their utility bills.

“There are funds out there that can be utilized,” Barrick said. “They’ve been under-utilized in the past.”

If passed Monday, the new rates will go into effect July 1.