Huntington Beach is charging visitors who need crash-related emergency services. (KTLA-TV) |
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Charging for Crash Emergencies -- Is It Fair?
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Huntington Beach Crash Tax, Jennifer Gould Reports
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HUNTINGTON BEACH -- If you cause a car crash in Huntington Beach and you don't live there, get ready to shell out as much as $3,000.
The City Council on Monday approved the emergency services cost recovery program to help with the city's budget problems.
Non-residents who need to be extricated from a wrecked vehicle will be billed $2,000 under the so-called 'crash tax.' Car fires will cost $750, and each fire truck that responds to an emergency will cost $405 an hour.
Charges will be billed to auto insurance companies or motorists directly if they don't have insurance.
The program is expected to bring in about $100,000 a year.
Residents are exempt from the charges because they pay taxes for emergency services.
Other Orange County cities have similar programs, including Fullerton, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana.
Surf City estimates that more than 300 car accidents are caused each year by those who do not live in the city.
The City Council on Monday approved the emergency services cost recovery program to help with the city's budget problems.
Non-residents who need to be extricated from a wrecked vehicle will be billed $2,000 under the so-called 'crash tax.' Car fires will cost $750, and each fire truck that responds to an emergency will cost $405 an hour.
Charges will be billed to auto insurance companies or motorists directly if they don't have insurance.
The program is expected to bring in about $100,000 a year.
Residents are exempt from the charges because they pay taxes for emergency services.
Other Orange County cities have similar programs, including Fullerton, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana.
Surf City estimates that more than 300 car accidents are caused each year by those who do not live in the city.
