RESOLUTION NO. RS2009-988

A resolution expressing the Metropolitan Council’s desire that the General Sessions Court establish a comprehensive program to provide assistance to persons whose drivers license has been suspended for a failure to pay traffic violation fines and fees.

WHEREAS, it is estimated that tens of thousands of drivers on the road in Davidson County are driving on a suspended drivers license; and

WHEREAS, many of these drivers had their license suspended for a failure to appear in court and/or pay the fines and court costs associated with violations of the Metropolitan traffic laws; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the numerous agencies involved and the rapid escalation of court costs/penalties, getting a suspended drivers license reinstated is a complicated, time consuming, and expensive process; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government is currently owed approximately $26 million in unpaid traffic tickets and court costs; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County that the General Sessions Court implement a program to reduce unpaid traffic violation fines and fees, at the discretion of the Court, if the defendant attends a special school geared toward teaching driver responsibility and the procedure for having their license reinstated.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as expressing its desire that the General Sessions Court establish a comprehensive program to provide assistance to persons whose drivers license has been suspended for a failure to pay certain traffic violation fines and fees. Such program could include, at the discretion of the Court, a retirement of outstanding traffic violation cases if the defendant attends a school offered by the courts and pays a certain percentage of the unpaid fines and court costs, plus a reasonable administrative fee. It is suggested that such assistance be available for unpaid citations for violations of any ordinance codified in Title 12 of the Metropolitan Code, Vehicles and Traffic, other than reckless driving, eluding a police officer, driving under the influence, passing a school bus, or exceeding the speed limit in a school zone.

Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each of the General Sessions Judges.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Eric Crafton, Erica Gilmore, Erica Gilmore, Pam Murray