Traffic Tickets: Untapped Millions For Highway Upkeep

In Philadelphia alone, $250 million in unpaid traffic tickets could be put to use; new collection techniques are now beginning in earnest.

1 minute read

March 9, 2006, 5:00 AM PST

By David Gest

"An astounding quarter-billion dollars may be owed to the Philadelphia Traffic Court, and the institution, widely loathed by drivers, is rolling out some changes in hopes of collecting a chunk of that cash."

"Soon, the court will have at least one van prowling the city's neighborhoods with a $75,000 computer system that scans the license plates of parked cars. Software will automatically determine whether a vehicle is operated by a scofflaw, and a boot crew will immobilize it."

Last year, the city "collected and disbursed $22.8 million to the city's general fund and to the state for highway-related purposes."

Thanks to Criminal Justice Journalists

Read the full story: Traffic court changes course to get its cash

Sunday, March 5, 2006 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

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