(Spirit Lake)– Get pulled over for a traffic violation in Iowa after July 1st and you’d better be prepared for steeper fines.
That word from Trooper Vince Kurtz of the Post Six office of the Iowa State Highway Patrol. He tells KUOO news the stiffer fines are the result of the most recent session of the Iowa Legislature that will result in fines going up for some 200 different traffic offenses.
For example, Kurtz says the fine for speeding will go up from from $87 to $114 currently to $120 to $150; a seatbelt violation which is currently about $93 will increase to $128; a stop sign violation, another frequent violation, will go up from $107 currently to $195; and a child restraint violation will go from $93.75 currently to $195.00.
Kurtz says the increased fines aren’t intended as a way for the cash-strapped state to get money. Instead, he says it’s intended as a way to increase public safety.
