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