How a Speeding Ticket Tax Might Effect You As a Driver

In the state of Georgia there is a program they designed to help balance their budget shortfall. This program is the speeding ticket tax. The concept is that certain drivers are hit with extra fines on top of their speeding ticket for the state to raise even more revenue. There are four other states in the country that have similar programs with other states watching and waiting to see if this type of tax works on speeding tickets. Could this effect you and make you pay more fines?

Basically, this program works by charging extra to repeat offenders. If you have points against your license for any reason whether it be parking violations, outdated tags, and other things not related to speeding, you are vulnerable to this tax. If you go above certain speeds and get a speeding ticket with these points on your license, you have to pay even more above and beyond the price of the ticket.

What can the average person do about this?

The most obvious is to drive safely and avoid these types of problems in the first place. But if you do get any sort of ticket, speeding or not, you need to attempt to fight it in court at least to get the points off your license.

There are two ways of doing this. The first is to ask for alternative punishments like traffic school where you have to take a class but generally are not hit with points on your license. The second is to learn how to beat tickets in court with real defenses that can help you win. Either of these should keep your license clean and prevent extra taxation and fines.

San Diego DUI Laws - What Are the Possible Penalties?

Getting a DUI can be a scary experience, especially if you don't know what to expect when you go to court. If you live in San Diego and get a DUI, there are specific penalties that can be handed down. The following information is about these laws and the differences in the penalties if you already have a conviction for driving under the influence.

The Possible Penalties for Your First DUI in San Diego

The penalties for driving under the influence in San Diego are a combination of fines, alcohol and drug rehab programs, jail time, and license restrictions. All of these penalties are at the discretion of the judge and the prosecutor will make sentencing recommendations in the event that you are found or plead guilty. For the first offense, the possible penalties are:

1. Fines ranging from $390 to $1000. 2. 48 hours to 6 months in the county jail. 3. 6 months of driver's license suspension 4. Drug and alcohol program

Other possible penalties include the impoundment of your vehicle for up to six months, community service, ignition interlock device, and MADD impact panel. If probation is part of the imposed sentence, then additional monetary penalties may be imposed, but the drug and alcohol program may be omitted.

The Possible Penalties for Your Second DUI in San Diego

If convicted of a second occurrence of driving under the influence within 10 years, the penalties are higher. These may include:

1. Fines ranging form $390 to $1000. 2. 96 hours to 1 year in the county jail. 3. 2 year license suspension 4. Ignition interlock device

If probation is not part of the sentence, then the jail time may be from 90 days to 1 year in the county jail. The judge also can impound your vehicle, sentence you to community service, and make you attend the MADD impact panel.

The Possible Penalties for Your Third DUI in San Diego

If convicted of a third occurrence of driving under the influence within 10 years, you can expect to spend some serious time in jail and that you will not be driving for quite a while.

1. Fines ranging from $390 to $1000 2. 4 months to 1 year in the county jail 3. 3 year license revocation 4. 18 month alcohol program 5. Ignition interlock device

The judge may also impose the additional penalties listed above. There are also significant additional monetary penalties that may be imposed.

The Possible Penalties for Your Fourth DUI in San Diego

The fourth conviction of driving under the influence will almost definitely get you time in the state penitentiary. The judge will no longer be able to sentence you to time in the county jail. The possible penalties with no probation are:

1. Fines ranging from $390 to $1000 2. 16 to 36 months in the state penitentiary 3. 4 years license revocation 4. 18 month alcohol program 5. Ignition interlock device

The above penalties do not factor any other circumstances, such as an accident, property damage, prior felony convictions, work zone tickets, or any number other factors.

San Diego Courts

There are four main San Diego courts that will handle your DUI case. They are the East, North, and South County Courts, and the Ramona Court. The Ramona Court handles traffic and minor offenses, but the other three courts deal with criminal matters that are more serious. Where you received your driving under the influence charge will determine which court your case will be heard.

In Closing

A DUI is a serious offense and one that you should not take lightly. Seek the advice of an experienced lawyer to help you understand all the laws and options that are available to you.

The Importance of Obtaining Appropriate Travel Insurance

The recent Foreign & Commonwealth Office report highlights the importance of obtaining appropriate travel insurance irrespective of your age.

The report raises concerns about the frequency they are asked to assist people who are landed with extremely high treatment and repatriation bills, as a result of travellers either not bothering to take out travel insurance, have failed to declare a pre-existing medical condition when arranging travel insurance, or have wrongly assumed that if they are travelling within Europe, their EHIC would fully cover them for all medical and other associated costs.

Over the last 5 years, the cost of medical treatment has increased by over 270%.

The most common illnesses requiring treatment are stomach upsets, ear infections, allergies and heart problems. Travellers are also involved in a high number of road traffic accidents as well as other injuries in unfamiliar countries.

With so many of the reported incidents being preventable, the FCO is appealing to people travelling or going to live abroad to make some simple preparations before you go. The FCO recommends contacting you GP as early as possible to find out if any vaccinations or medication are advised. Be very careful about what you eat and drink and be alert to the hygiene of the establishments where your food is being prepared. With road accidents continuing to be a significant cause of accidents and deaths, Brits are also reminded to wear protective clothing and helmets, even if the locals don't, and to familiarise themselves with the local rules of the road.

Check with your airline that you can carry any medication in your hand luggage and pack enough supplies for your whole trip and possible delays. Keep your medication in is original packaging and take any prescription documents with you. Check with the embassy that the medication will be legal in the country you are visiting. Some over the counter medicines are illegal in other countries, For example it's illegal to take certain inhalers and allergy medications into Japan.

Savoy in Sharm El Sheikh - The Perfect Summer Holiday

The Royal Family, the fry-up, the roast dinner and Harry Potter. These are just a few things that, as British people, we like to pride ourselves on. But unfortunately, one thing you won't catch us bragging about is our weather. We're currently in the middle of one of our great British winters and it is this time of year when we all look out of our windows at the rain and the grey sky, envying those who live in warmer climates. And because of this, it is also the time of year when we have the most motivation to start planning our summer holidays. Most obvious question first; where do you want to go for your holiday? The obvious option is somewhere warm where you can soak up plenty of sun.

However, whether or not you want to do any activities on your holiday is also important to consider. Maybe you want to do absolutely nothing and spend all of your time in the pool or on a sun lounger, whilst being waited on hand and foot. But then you may wish to visit some truly overwhelming locations that can only be experienced once in a lifetime and take in a touch of history and culture whilst you're away. Whether you are after the former or the latter, both of these can be done in Egypt. You can experience a relaxing break which you will never forget, whilst simultaneously profiting from its hot weather and fascinating history. Why not visit the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza and get a feel of what life was like back in Ancient Egypt? Or maybe you could visit the scenes of where Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile was set, by taking a cruise along the Nile.

The number of destinations within Egypt will leave you spoilt for choice. But Sharm el Sheikh is fast becoming the most popular holiday destination in Egypt nowadays. Situated on the southern part of Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el Sheikh is home to many beautifully stunning views as well as being a popular place for scuba diving. Sharm el Sheikh is located near the Red Sea so it is common for many people to take advantage of this, using the opportunity to visit the underwater world and experience the wonders of one of the best coral reefs on the earth. With all the hotels available in this corner of the world, you may find it extremely difficult to pick one. However the Savoy Sharm el Sheikh certainly has a lot to offer.

This hotel extends over a large area and incorporates tropical foliage and three swimming pools into its surroundings. It has a grand total of 406 rooms, each with a superior design, meaning that you will be able to experience luxury during your sleep as well as during the day. There are many companies that specialise in providing Savoy Sharm el Sheikh holidays. If this is the hotel for you, ensure that your hotel organiser puts you down for the Savoy Sharm el Sheikh All Inclusive package. This will allow you unlimited access to a variety of local and worldly cuisine, various local and international beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), as well as access to the hotel's sauna and Jacuzzi. You won't want to come home from the Savoy Sharm el Sheikh as you will be so used to living the life of luxury.

Commission Based Jobs and Wage Theft

When it comes to wage theft, many employees who have been victims of their employers do not know if they have rights because they work in jobs that do not operate on a typical pay scale such as hourly or salary. Individuals who work in jobs that pay based on commissions often fall into this gray area.

But while it may seem that commission based jobs would not apply when it comes to basic rights under the Fair Labor and Standards Act, the requirements of employers are still fairly black and white.

The Fair Labor and Standards Act revolutionized employment standards and since its inception has continued to be the cornerstone of employment law and employee rights. Although commission based positions are technically the result of a mutual agreement between employer and employee, there are still a number of things that employers must legally provide including:

Detailed records of all commission transactions, hours an employee works and how much those commissions work out to hourly. Payment that at least works out to the federal minimum wage--if an employees commissions are extremely low, the employee should not go home either empty handed or with an amount of money that is less than minimum wage. A working employee is a working employee and refusal to compensate for that work is wage theft. If the employee works in excess of 40 hours a week, he or she should be paid what would most closely equal out to overtime pay or time and a half. Employees should receive every commission that they rightfully earn--employers who keep commissions for any reason are likely engaging in wage theft.

Regardless of the type of payment a worker receives, every employee is entitled to the basic rights stated under the FLSA.

To find out more about commission based jobs and wage theft, visit the website of the overtime lawyers of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP.

Home Decorating: 5 Feng Shui Tips for Home Decorating

Feng Shui is the art of attaining equilibrium between the forces of good and evil, the Yin and Yang. It is an ancient system that the Chinese have been practicing since the olden days and it has been adopted in many non-Chinese cultures as well. According to this philosophy the positioning and arrangement in a room can have a positive or negative effect on a person's health and wealth. Here are five tips to enhance good energy (Chi) flow in our homes.

The front door should always have a clear path. Do not put objects in front because this will block good energy or Chi and prevent it from flowing into your home. If your front door is positioned directly in front of a window, put a screen or some furniture in between them to prevent good energy from flowing out right away. Throw open your curtains and windows everyday to permit fresh morning air and sunshine to come in. Windows that are constantly closed will not allow good Chi to flow in. Open windows are also good for your health because they allow us to breath in fresh air daily. Vacant bedrooms should not left in the dark for a lengthy period of time because this will permit bad Chi to linger. You should never place plants with thorns such as cactuses inside your home. Instead, decorate your house with round leafed plants, crystals and wind chimes. All these are said to be auspicious and will invite good Chi to come into your home. Place a fountain or aquarium inside your house. Water attracts good Chi. The best position to place this is in front of the door to invite good energy in. Placing it south-east is said to bring you wealth, east for health, south-west for good luck in marriage, west for friends, north-east for education and north for career enhancement.