EudoraNews.com

Speeding across K-10 may get drivers to Lawrence or Kansas City in half the time, but since Sunday, getting caught will cost speeders three times as much.

A bill passed by the state legislature tripled traffic fines for about 140 violations if they are filed in a district court.

Eudora police officer Greg Dahlem patrols the downtown area during an afternoon shift. City officials are considering a measure to raise city traffic fines, as fines across Kansas tripled on July 1.

For instance, fines for improperly passing a school bus run $300.

Eudora speeders can rest easy sort of.

The city council will look at increasing municipal fees at Monday's city council meeting where City Attorney Jerry Cooley will present a sample ordinance.

"There's not a great rush to get the rates increased for the DWIs, because we run everything through state court," Cooley said.

Eudora drivers swerving their way home from the local bar or sticking a cold one in the cup holder are already subject to the increase.

Eudora police take other traffic violations, like driving while suspended or speeding, to municipal court where the fines haven't changed yet, Police Chief Bill Long said.

For instance, if the council votes for a municipal increase, a speeder caught at 13th and Elm streets by a Eudora police officer would end up paying more.

But driving in or around Eudora doesn't necessarily give those anxious to accelerate much of a break. House Bill 2596 affects tickets taken to district court.

Drivers who think taking a back-road route to Lawrence via County Road 442 to bypass K-10 fines should probably think twice. If a speeder gets caught somewhere in the county outside Lawrence, Baldwin City or Eudora, and the ticket goes through district court, it's subject to the increase already in place.

Getting caught at Seventh and Main streets by a county or state official won't help speeders avoid the fine either. Those tickets go to district court as well.

Although Cooley said he hopes some of the money finds its way back to financing law enforcement, money earned from traffic tickets usually goes into a general fund.

According to the bill, approximately 92 percent (about $16 million to $18 million) will go the State General Fund, leaving about 7 percent for the Crime Victims Compensation Fund and a little more than 1 percent going to the Crime Victims Assistance Fund.

When Cooley first raised the issue at the council meeting, councilman Tom Pyle expressed concern about rumors that with state increases come quotas.

"I'd certainly hope it's not come to that point yet," Cooley said.