We already told you about a proposed fee of up to $500 to be applied drivers at fault in accidents for the fire department to clean up their post-crash messes, and last Thursday, the Board of Supes Budget Committee gave that fee the thumbs up.

Next stop: the full board of Supes, to make its first vote on the proposal.


Opponents (many from the insurance industry, we should note) argue that since taxes already support the SFFD, this is a double-dipping of sorts.

Since the SFFD responds to over 4,000 accidents annually, levying a charge ranging between $249 and $498 or more could net the city $626,000 for the upcoming fiscal year.

The bill would most likely be sent to the at-fault driver's insurance company, although the driver may still have to pay out-of-pocket and insurance companies are already set to raise drivers' rates.

What do you think -- is this kicking a driver when they're down, or just consequences for vehicular error?

the author

Always in motion. April Siese writes about music, takes photos at shows, and even helps put them on behind the scenes as a stagehand. She's written everything from hard news to beauty features, as well as fiction and poetry. She most definitely likes pie.

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