California / IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : $10 Fine Advised for Helmet Violations

A state agency that advises the courts says motorcyclists who fail to wear helmets are subject to “fix-it” tickets, which call for only a $10 fine, rather than heavier fines sought by the Legislature. Rick Neal of the Judicial Council, which instructs state courts on administration, practices and procedures, sent the fix-it ticket memo Thursday to all traffic courts and police agencies. The Legislature approved the mandatory helmet law last year. The 1992 statute calls for a fine of up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense and $250 for a third offense within a year. Former Assemblyman Richard Floyd (D-Carson), the author of the helmet law, criticized the memo as an attempt to weaken the law.