The Indiana Department of Transportation has proposed to solve its budget deficit with a "bad driver surcharge." The tax would generate steady and repeating revenue by charging an extra fee to drivers with "historically bad records" every time they renew their license or registration. Another charge would be imposed on drivers who delay traffic with an accident.

Similar surcharges, called "driver responsibility programs" in other states, have proven to be significant revenue generators. Texas expects to earn $300 million by the end of the year with its program and New Jersey has made $1 billion to date.

Members of the Republican and Democrat leadership in the Indiana legislature have expressed doubts about the state DOT's proposal. "Thinking outside the box is not a bad thing, but there are a lot of questions with this," House Minority Leader B. Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend) told the Indianapolis Star newspaper.

Motorists interviewed at a Speedway gas station just off I-70 on Indianapolis' Eastside -- one of the state's busiest stretches of road -- said crash-prone drivers are punished already. "When you pay tickets and higher insurance costs, you're getting fined anyway," said Aurelia Frierson, a 26-year-old Indianapolis resident who manages an Eastside McDonald's restaurant.