Virginia legislators have passed a new fee scheme to pad the state's pockets with money from responsible motorists.

These Albo fees, named for their chief sponsor in the House of Delegates, have nothing to do with safety. They're all about making money.

Click here to sign an online petition to let your elected leaders know how you feel about these outrageous new fees.

Go here for a list of the legislators who voted for this law so you'll know who not to vote for in the next election.

In February of 2006 we distributed the following press release to all major newspapers in Virginia. We pointed out the obvious conflict of interest of a legislator, who is also a principal in a law firm that caters to clients with traffic ticket cases, drafting legislation that will directly benefit his business. Delegate, and attorney, David Albo was the primary sponsor of the legislation that has become the "abusive driver fees" law.

To our knowledge, not one paper saw fit to publish our press release or to verify the validity of our claims. Thursday, July 20, 2007, when the Governor and leaders from both parties circled the wagons to defend "Albo's abusive driver fees law, the press was there and was paying attention, Albo wasn't. Do you suppose that was because someone from the press might have asked a pointed question regarding his motive for promoting a bill that should have been named "the abuse of drivers" legislation?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Eric Skrum Communications Director
National Motorists Association
Telephone: (608) 849-6000
Email: nma@motorists.org
Web addresses: www.motorists.org

Albo’s Motivation Should Be Questioned

Richmond, Virginia, February 22, 2006 – Delegate David Albo has sponsored a bill that would punish “dangerous drivers,” while generating $600 million from added traffic ticket fines. The measure would also create a lot of new business for law firms that deal with traffic offenses. Delegate Albo is a partner in such a firm. Not surprisingly, he does not mention his vested interest when speaking about this legislation.

His legislation, House Bill 527, would assess motorists new ticket surcharges. If it becomes law, any person with four or more points on his or her license will be fined $100, plus $75 for each additional point over four. Additionally, any motorist convicted of reckless driving within the last three years would be required to pay $350 or $750 if they were convicted of DUI.

The measure’s stated purpose is to “generate revenue from drivers whose proven dangerous driving behavior places significant financial burdens upon the Commonwealth.” In reality, the bill would penalize responsible motorists with as few as just one ticket.

If this bill passes, Virginians will be far more likely to contest their traffic citations, including DUI charges. A move that would directly benefit Albo’s law firm, Albo & Oblon, which specializes in defending motorists accused of reckless driving and DUI – the same two violations that would carry even heftier fines.

“Until very recently, Albo & Oblon advertised on our web site,” said Eric Skrum, Communications Director for the National Motorists Association. “We sent them a notice telling them they were no longer welcome after we learned of this legislation.” Skrum added, “It’s surprising that no one has questioned the ethics of a legislator who proposes bills that directly benefits him and his partners.”

Albo’s bill has already passed the House of Delegates. However, the Virginia State Senate has yet to act on the legislation.

The National Motorists Association was established in 1982 to represent the interests and rights of North American motorists. It is a grassroots organization that operates at the national level and through a system of state chapters. The NMA is entirely supported through the contributions of individuals, families, and small businesses. The organization is best known for its successful effort to repeal National 55-mph speed limit.