While driving through my neighborhood last weekend, I was cited a ticket for running a stop sign. Having not received a ticket in five years and considering it was a minor moving violation; I expected the fine would be rather small.

When I scanned over my freshly printed ticket, I was surprised to find that running a stop sign cost me $141. It seemed a little steep, to say the least. Officer Picklesimer of the LMPD then politely informed me that traffic fines had increased.

Of course, this prompted me to look up current traffic fines. For those of you who don’t know, you can locate Seminole County’s traffic citation fines on the Clerk of the Court website at: http://www.seminoleclerk.org/

Once you are at the website, click on “Online Payments” in the menu on the left, then click “Law Enforcement Info and Speeding Charts” to access a .pdf of traffic fines.

Here’s an overview of the most common tickets given:

Speeding:

1-5 mph over limit – A warning only in normal, or construction zones. In a school zone, $131

6-9 mph over the limit - $106 in normal zone, $131 in construction and school zones

10-14 mph over the limit - $181 in normal zones, $281 in construction and school zones

15-19 mph over the limit - $206 in normal zones, $331 in construction and school zones

20-29 mph over the limit - $231 in normal zones, $381 in construction and school zones

30+ mph over the limit - $331 in normal zones, $581 in construction and school zones

** An infraction 30+ mph over the limit requires a mandatory civil infraction hearing

Moving Violations:

Failure to stop for a school bus - $181

Speed too fast for conditions - $141

Failure to obey traffic device - $206

Failure to obey/ driving around, under, or through RR device - $181

Failure to display license plate - $135

Unknowlingly operating vehicle with a suspended license - $135

As it looks, there is no traffic violation that’s going to cost you less than $100. On average, depending on your infraction, you’re probably going to pay about $140 for any violation.

Ok, so lets to the math on this. Pretend you’re someone working a job for $7 an hour. If we take $140 as the average ticket, you’d have to work 20 hours to pay off that ticket. And that’s not considering taxes!

Does it seem fair that ten minutes of a police officer’s time is worth half a weeks work to the average individual? You decide.

For those of you that don't know, there are some really great events coming up in the next couple of months. These are by women, for women, to benefit women's causes.

October 3, 2008 7 p.m.

The Sanford Crisis Pregnancy Center 10th Anniversary Celebration Banquet.

There will be a sit down dinner and silent auction to raise money for your local pregnancy center. The event will be held at the Lake Mary Events Center. Founder and Director Andrea Krazeise has worked for ten years helping women in the area through their pregnancies and now she wants you to support their cause. Dr. Joel Hunter, Senior Pastor of Northland Church, will be speaking at the event. The tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased by mail or at the center at 1002 French Ave, Sanford, FL 32771. For more information contact Andrea or Debra at 407-323-3384.

October 11, 2008, 8 a.m.

Women Playing for T.I.M.E. Tennis Tournament hosted by Sanford Grassroots Tennis, Inc.

Sally Genge and Joyce Stansberry have given free tennis lessons in Sanford for five years. Now they're holding a tennis tournament to benefit breast cancer research and programs at the MD Anderson Cancer Center of Orlando. The event will be held at Lee P. Moore Park and will feature vendors who are all women-owned businesses from Sanford. There is a minimum donation of $35 to play, and raffle tickets will be sold during the event for $1 each. For more information contact Sally at 407-695-2562, or Joyce at 407-323-6755.

November 9, 2008, 1 p.m.

Diva Eve Fashion Show.

Sammy Hudson, owner and operator of The Next Best Thing, a consignment shop on 1st Street, will be holding a fashion show using recycled clothing from her monthly clothing swaps. The event will be held at the Woman's Club of Sanford and will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. There will be door prizes, raffles, food and drinks. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children. For more information contact Sammy at 407-562-7478.

Hello and welcome to "Rachel's Leftover News," the blog that brings you Sanford's extra news. This is the first blog of many on The Sanford Herald's new and improved website. Soon, our Centennial Forum columnists will also be blogging. Check back regularly to find out what's going on in and around Sanford. Feel free to comment on what you see, either on the website or e-mail me at rdelinski@mysanfordherald.com. Hope you enjoy!