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Bob Pasternak · 07-31-2010, 05:19 AM

FWIW: Speeding in Elkhart just got expensive:

If you drive in Elkhart, breaking traffic laws just got a lot more expensive.

That's because the city has raised its fines.

"We write tickets because it's our responsibility to make sure that people don't get killed in Elkhart," said Elkhart Police's Ed Windbigler.

In an effort to save lives, Elkhart police made it clear that if you speed, you will pay.

Windbigler says, "It doesn't matter your speed. In Elkhart, if you get pulled over and receive a speeding ticket, $150."

If you speed in a school zone it's $300.

If you speed in a construction zone, with no workers present, $450.

And if workers are present, it's a flat $600. No questions asked.

A lot of people don't think this is fair.

"A flat rate is probably a little out of line," said Robert Dorsam.

"I don't think it's fair that it's a flat rate," says Erica Furkis. "I think 2 miles per hour over the speed limit is more forgivable than say 50 over."

Speeding isn't the only thing Elkhart cops will be looking for, especially in construction zones, like the one on Johnson Street.

"As you can see, there's a sign posted next to the Stop sign that says ‘NO LEFT TURN.' If they would turn right like they should to keep the traffic going, then the cars wouldn't be backed up here on Erwin."

Even with Officer Doug Ryback and his car parked right at this intersection, we saw drivers turn left while we conducted our interview.

In fact, it's so bad that Ryback doesn't even have radar in his car to fill a day writing tickets.

"You don't need radar to write tickets in Elkhart. There are so many bad drivers that don't think the laws apply to them that you can just drive around every day and watch for people turning on red or going against signs that are posted. It really doesn't take that long to accumulate several tickets every day."

07-31-2010, 05:19 AM	#1
Bob Pasternak Montana Master Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: St. John Posts: 591 M.O.C. #800	For Goshen Rally attendees: FWIW: Speeding in Elkhart just got expensive: If you drive in Elkhart, breaking traffic laws just got a lot more expensive. That's because the city has raised its fines. "We write tickets because it's our responsibility to make sure that people don't get killed in Elkhart," said Elkhart Police's Ed Windbigler. In an effort to save lives, Elkhart police made it clear that if you speed, you will pay. Windbigler says, "It doesn't matter your speed. In Elkhart, if you get pulled over and receive a speeding ticket, $150." If you speed in a school zone it's $300. If you speed in a construction zone, with no workers present, $450. And if workers are present, it's a flat $600. No questions asked. A lot of people don't think this is fair. "A flat rate is probably a little out of line," said Robert Dorsam. "I don't think it's fair that it's a flat rate," says Erica Furkis. "I think 2 miles per hour over the speed limit is more forgivable than say 50 over." Speeding isn't the only thing Elkhart cops will be looking for, especially in construction zones, like the one on Johnson Street. "As you can see, there's a sign posted next to the Stop sign that says ‘NO LEFT TURN.' If they would turn right like they should to keep the traffic going, then the cars wouldn't be backed up here on Erwin." Even with Officer Doug Ryback and his car parked right at this intersection, we saw drivers turn left while we conducted our interview. In fact, it's so bad that Ryback doesn't even have radar in his car to fill a day writing tickets. "You don't need radar to write tickets in Elkhart. There are so many bad drivers that don't think the laws apply to them that you can just drive around every day and watch for people turning on red or going against signs that are posted. It really doesn't take that long to accumulate several tickets every day."