Caswell Driver Responsibility Bill Approved By Governor Snyder

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

ANSING – Today, Senator Bruce Caswell joined Secretary of State Ruth Johnson to witness Governor Rick Snyder sign into law Senate Bill 166, legislation introduced by Caswell to repeal portions of the Driver Responsibility Program.  The Driver Responsibility Program was created in 2003 as an alleged “quick and easy” fix to the state’s budget problems.

“Today, we have taken a critical first step in repealing the Driver Responsibility Program, which I have worked to eliminate since 2003,” said Caswell.  “I appreciate the support of my colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives as well as the Secretary of State and Governor in making this legislation a reality.  I look forward to working with them as I introduce further legislation on this issue in the near future to eliminate more of the Driver Responsibility Program.”

The Driver Responsibility Program is an additional administrative fee added by the Secretary of State’s office after a person already has received a fine ordered by the courts for certain traffic violations.  Caswell’s legislation eliminates all the $150 and $200 fees in the Driver Responsibility Program.  These fees include violations for driving without a valid license or proper endorsement, driving with an expired license, and driving without insurance or proof of insurance.  The legislation does not eliminate the fines and penalties for traffic violations that judges can assign violators; it only eliminates a number of the additional administrative fees.