Seat belt fines going down and DUI fines going up

(WICHITA, Kan.) — The fines for not wearing a seat belt and for getting a DUI are changing.  The Wichita City Council voted on the fines Tuesday so city law mirrors changes made to state law this year.

The prior fine for not wearing a seat belt was $30 plus court costs.  The city and state have lowered that fine to $10 and won't charge court fees.  Last year, the City of Wichita issued 5,067 seat belt tickets.  The change in the law will result in the city losing $100,000 from fines.

The city also voted to increase fines for driving under the influence by $250.  For first offenses, the new fine is $750, second offenses is $1,250 and third offenses is $1,750.   The increases are expected to generate an additional $225,000 for the city in 2011.  However due to other funding changes, in 2012 the fines will just offset other funding losses.