Inslee OKs bill curbing debt-based license suspensions
GENE JOHNSON, Associated Press
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SEATTLE (AP) Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday approved a measure aimed at preventing tens of thousands of people a year from having their driver’s licenses suspended for failure to pay fines.
An estimated 46,000 people have their licenses suspended annually because they fail to pay court-imposed fines for noncriminal moving violations as minor as neglecting to use a turn signal. And, once their license is suspended, they can be subject to criminal prosecution if they re caught driving again.
Activists say that punishes people for being poor, disproportionately affects minority and young drivers, and makes it harder for them to get to work, to take care of sick family members or to get children to school.
Inslee approves bill curbing debt-based license suspensions
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OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday approved a measure aimed at preventing tens of thousands of people a year from having their driver’s licenses suspended for failure to pay fines.
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OLYMPIA Washington drivers who cannot afford to pay fines imposed for speeding and other moving violations can no longer have their licenses suspended following a Thurston County Superior Court ruling.