US speeders slapped with fuel surcharges on top of fines

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Some cash-strapped US municipalities are resorting to slapping fuel surcharges onto tickets issued to speeding drivers in order to fill dwindling city coffers hit hard by skyrocketing gas prices.

Beginning July 1, the Georgia town of Holly Springs, near the city of Atlanta, will add a surcharge of 12 dollars for each moving violation as a means to avert a budget deficit brought on by high fuel prices.

"It's a creative and innovative idea of our police chief," said Holly CothranDrake, spokeswoman of the city administration which on Wednesday received queries from several American municipalities that are considering similar measures, including Florida's Key West and California's Los Angeles County.

"The reason is to offset the cost of the...