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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1994)
Petition seeks to put brake on traffic violation fines Daniel West Oregon l)aify f rrmakl Citizens Against Highway Robbery is em ulating a petition that aims to decrease the costs of the new hail/fine schedule developed by the Oregon Supreme Court last year. The group would hk«< to have the initiative on the ballot in 1996 "The new bail schedule isn't just unreasonable — it's plain crazy," said Drake Koefoed, the group’s coordinator. "For example, you're going 66 mph in a 65 mph zone, and you're fined $134. Parking more than 12 inches from the curb. $69 Also, running a stop sign is going to cost $233. "We are bringing justice bai k to traffic infrni lions and citations," Koefoed said of the group's efforts The Eugene initiative would limit the amount drivers could be fined for traffic violations and citations. It would reduce all traffic infractions to $25 through $100 and set the bail or fine at $5 for each mile per hour over the speed limit. This lim it would be the price cap for all traffic violations It could not be raised. Koefoed believes the increases are a "Iwt k door tax" for the government to make up for the loss in revenue caused bv ballot Measure Five in 1990 lb said that half of the money goes to the city and the other half goes to the justii e system According to the Eugene Municipal Court, the money raised will go to state-funded programs "The new bail/fine was set by Oregon legislation and passed directly from the Oregon Supreme Court." said Mary Walston, assistant court admin istrator in Eugene. “Money collected from the bail will help fund state programs across the state." Koefoed is targeting the campus area because students are hit hardest by the new hail/fine schedule, he said. "This initiative is going to lie big on campus." he said. "Students most often fall victim to these infractions, partially because students aren't aware of their rights and they don't know how to deal with police." Koefoed said he believes the high cost of traffic violations could be a major concern for some students bee ause they don't have a lot of money. Around campus, some students say that the new fines are too high and are unfair. "I think that this (initiative) is a good idea." said sophomore Dan Miller. " The price of infractions is ludicrous. A price cap would be nice as long as it doesn't tux time < ommonplace" The money saved could be applied lo other things, such as student seating in McArthur Court, he said. Other students who aren't dine tlv affix ted have a similar opinion on the increase in fines "I don’t car»> about the fines liecause I don’t have a vehicle," said sophomore Ryan Shopnnga "But they (the fines) sound like n lot of money that stu dents don’t have Koefoed warns that police may use traffic infrac tions as a ploy to pull people over and conduct illegal search and seizures "Usually being pulled over for a traffic violation isn't what it seems.” he said. It's bigger. It's a reason to search Hide the roach in the ashtray." He gave some tips on dealing with police offi cers when pulled over for speeding violations "f irst, you don't have lo consent to a search of your vehii le They may be looking to set their quo tn for the week Second, any information that you give uni lie used against you. so lie i a refill of what you toll the offit or, expe< iully when questioned about speed.’’ he said "Also, lie aware that police radar detectors can be incorrei t Finally, obviously don't argue or fight with the offit er ” Koefoed said there are many polic e officers, including some in the Eugene police department, who don't support the increase in traffic fines " These fines are going to have a negative impact," said Frank Hone, a polii e services admin istrative sergeant and former traffic officer "They're {the fines) out in orbit We waited as long as possible hoping fines wouldn't increase it's going to !m> hard to hand them out." The police department has no control over the amount set for fines The amount is determined by state and federal legislation. "The Eugene police department isn't the bad guy." Bone said "We have no say in what bail/fines should he We have to put this (situa tion) in its proper plai e We have to look at the Oregon State Supreme ('.ourt and other state legis lation " Members of OAHR believe this initiative will pass easily because it affects a lot of people “This doesn't need a lot of advertisement, ' Koe foed said "A lot of people will go for this UNICEF Month focuses on fund raising, education Jamie Pope For the Oregtv i Daily Eirmaki In an effort to raise funds and awareness among Americans about the plight of children in devastated countries such as Rwanda, Angola, Haiti and Bo&nia-Herzegovina, UNICEF has designated October ns National UNICEF Month. Maya Angelou. the best-selling author, renowned historian and civil rights activist, is the chair woman of the 1994 National UNICEF Month. Angelou has been promoting it with printed public service announcements that highlight the organization's accomplishments in Third World countries. Trick or Treat for UNICEF, the featured activity, began in 1950. Children gu to door to door col lecting funds for UNICEF on Hal loween. Evelyn McConnaughey. a UNICEF volunteer and chair woman of the Eugene Committee for UNICEF, said trick or treating is not as big an event as it used to be. "Trick or treating has become unpopular because of fear of drugged or poisoned candy,” she said. McConnaughey. who has been a UNICEF volunteer sense 1959, said the Eugene Committee for UNICEF has several education al videos and pac kets that will be available Oct. 2th and ‘11 from 2 to 5 p in at the First United Methodist Church The materials will let Eugene citizens know about UNICEF's work and encourage them to support it UNICEF was formed in l‘)4f> to provide food, medicine and supplies to Europe and China after World War II. In 1953. UNICEF was estab lished as a permanent agency after which it dropped the words international and emer gency from its name UNICEF provides services such as food and medicine and promotes lit eracy throughout the Third World. For these goals to be accom plished. UNICEF depends upon its many volunteers and workers both in the United States and abroad. UNICEF depends solely on voluntary financial support. Tri Bui, a University student, encouraged other students to support UNICEF'. Bui, who went to Vietnam on a fund-raising tour, said ho saw UNICEF funds at work in his village. Long An. “I saw a freshwater well in my home community.” he said. "I was surprised when I found out that it was put there by UNICEF funds, I encourage other stu dents to support UNICEF Every penny helps." Bui said the organization is not asking for a large donation. “That is not what they are about," ho said. For more information about National UNICEF Month and the educational materials, call Eve lyn McConnaughey at 345-0227. ■ ET ALS n im .s Muilun Sludml Am* Mlton wilt iiawrt tonight at 6 m the h Ml Maple Hoorn Fur more information. < *11 .146 Studrnt Health Adntory ( ommillre will meet today h Jpm in the medical library of the Slwlwii Health (enter Fw more informal Ion. call 346 444 7 RKUCION Pa* ift«a Symposium will present Stan Thompson. a retired nut leer engineer. to diicuu "Nuclear Peril Unlimited' on Saturday from 2 to A p m at the Wealey Outer. 12 36 Kim.aid St Fur inure miof mat urn. t all 344 04#* I Pacific a forum will preasni an inter view with Cynthia Woolen. DmmxratK candidate for Oregon lluuw of Kepre ♦entailvea. today at noon tn the Wesley (.enter 1l »f> Kincaid St For more info# mat ion. call 346 46**4 or 344 0403 Waaler foundation t ampua Ministry will cunduct the Fourth Annual Choral Fitravaganxa on Sunday at 7piu at Wesley I'tilted Methodist Church for more information, call 346 4n**4 MISCELLANEOUS Ruuun Department will show the film Taxi Blues tonight at 7 in Koom I IS Pacific Newman Center will prewettf a college overmghter with wave pool swimming starting tonight a! 0 at 1050 Finer a id St For more information rail 146 4400 Survival (enter will preaent a Warner Creek day hike cm Saturday from 0am to 4 p nt The hike will leave from the comer of University Street and ha*t 13th Avenue, in front of the EMU For more information, call 3*6 4 356 Career Center will allow successful bidders to sign up for interviews in Koom 244 Hendricks fur interviews with the following organisations State Farm. Wallace Computer, l-ady Foutltx k«w Dm t a phone. Sherwiu Williams and YergMI ft Meyer Fur more information call 340 3235 RECYCLE "Creepy" Critter" rS*le\ Now shipment of snakes, 9 scorpions, and spiders on sale Little Ocean Pet Store 1920 Franklin & Villard 687-0682 111> IM n-V.il Mhi l/-< UhUU Vi OLD f^KMDS 1022 WILLAMETTE National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week October 16-22, 1994 How much do you know about alcohol use on campus? The following statements re licet the answers to the Alcohol CJui/ distributed at various Alcohol Awareness Week events this week. ITiis data was collected by the Office ot the IX*an of Students via a random survey ot undergraduates on the U of O campus during January, 1993. Jeffrey Brockway won a $15 bookstore gift certificate for correctly answering the greatest number of questions. Congratulations! / 25** of students would prefer not to have alcohol available at parties. / 75** of students would prefer not lo have other drugs available at parties / 275 students applied to live m substance tree residence halls / 13** of students reported that someone had taken advantage of them sexually while under the influence of alcohol. / 7‘* of students reported that they hail taken advantage of someone sexually while under the influence of alcohol. ✓ 43‘* of students reported that they hail done something under the influence of alcohol that they later regretted. / 41*1' reported that they had engaged in binge (five or more drinks at a sitting) behavior. / 78% of students reported that they had used alcohol in the last 30 days. / 22** reported that they use alcohol three times a week or more. / 4.5 drinks is the average number of drinks per week consumed by students who choose to drink, / 7** of men reported consuming alcohol five times a week or more in the past year. / 34** reported missing at least one class due to alcohol or other drug consumption. This week's anis ines sponsored by Dean of Students Office. Student Health Center ami V of O Housing ( all latura Hlake Jones at I4f>- IIJJ for more information
