Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Rant: Fix-It Tickets

So I got a fix-it ticket a couple weeks ago because one of my headlights was out and I didn't know about it. I thought, no big deal, I just have to fix the headlight and then not have to pay the fine. This would be ideal. But did you know that you also have to pay a transaction fee after you get the thing fixed? Mine was $10. The headlight cost $12. Do we see a problem?

I think if I didn't know that I had a burnt out headlight, I shouldn't have to pay money on top of that which cost to get it fixed. I mean, its not like I wasn't going to fix it. If my other headlight went out, then I wouldn't be able to see the road. This would be bad. So naturally I would like to have both lights working at all times. If I knew about it, I would have fixed it within a couple days. All it took was going to Kragen, and replacing a bulb.

I totally agree that if you don't fix your problem, then you should have to pay a big fine, because not fixing things would be dangerous not only to you, but to others on the road. But if you fix your stupid thing, you shouldn't have to pay a smaller fine (still costs money damnit!).

Anyways, to make this worse, I went down to the traffic court to go pay the stupid transaction fee. I thought I had $10 on me, but turns out I paid a bridge toll the other day which reduced my cash on hand to $9. So I had to pay with plastic. But those stupid bastards add on a $5 charge for every card transaction. Bringing my fee total to $15, which is more than it cost for my stupid light bulb.

Bottom line, how can you charge money to a person who didn't even know something was broken? It makes no sense. I would have had to had perception into the future to know my headlight was going to be out and fix it before the damn cop saw it. I don't blame any individual, just the system.

Case Closed.

Current Mood : Irritated
Current Music : The Refreshments, Banditos (a most excellent song)

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