BISMARCK (AP) -- North Dakota cities may be able to raise their traffic fines.
Cities may already set traffic fines, but they can't go beyond the maximums allowed in state law.
Critics of the state fines say they're too low. It costs $20 for running a stop sign, $20 for careless driving and $20 for failing to wear a seat belt.
On Thursday the House voted 51-42 to allow cities to raise their fines up to double the state minimum for an offense.
Supporters of the proposal say higher fines are a deterrent to bad driving. Grand Forks Rep. Eliot Glassheim says cities should have authority to set their own fines.
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Opponents of the bill say local governments use traffic fines to pad their budgets.
