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NJ Senator Wants To Limit Use Of Motor Vehicle Surcharges

Senator Shirley Turner

A New Jersey lawmaker wants to limit the use of motor vehicle surcharges.

Senator Shirley Turner says her bill would restrict the surcharges to drunken driving offenses.

"If it's for reasons like a moving violation or parking tickets, then there would be no surcharges. Now with DWI that's a whole different category."

The surcharges assessed on drivers who have excessive points for traffic violations can amount to thousands of dollars.

Turner says many drivers have their license suspended because they can't afford to pay.

"It just doesn't make sense. It's like we're punishing these people, and you're saying you owe all of this money but at the same time you can't get a job because you don't have a driver's license you get back and forth to work."

There's no indication when the legislature might consider the measure.