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Running a red light will now cost you more than $200. Traffic fines across the board went up this week to keep Florida’s courts and prisons operating. As Whitney Ray tells us, some drivers are calling the increases highway robbery.

Hear it Here: State Looks to Speeders to Balance the Budget

College Student Sean Swieczkowski says he worked overtime to pay off his first speeding ticket.

“The speeding ticket really hurt me a lot. I had to work more hours, which really affected my school. It was really bad,” said Sean.

If Sean gets caught speeding again, he’ll be working even harder to pay the fine. Most traffic tickets went up 10 dollars this week. Speeding fines are up even more.

Fines for people driving 15 miles per hour over the speed limit will now cost 25 extra bucks. Eric Mclester calls the increases “highway robbery.”

Lawmakers passed the fine increases to offset spending cuts to the state’s courts in prisons. The Florida Highway Patrol isn’t getting any of the extra money, but they hope the increases will encourage speeders to slow down.

“If thinking that they’ll have to pay a little bit more for a traffic citation if they get pulled over keeps people from speeding, we’re all for that,” said Captain Mark Welch with the Highway Patrol.

Willie Johnson already has a plan to avoid paying the higher fines.”

“I don’t get tickets, so evidently I’ve been driving pretty good,” said Willie.

Good advice for drivers who think the new fines could break their banks. Starting this week judges can no longer reduce or wave fines for drivers willing to take education courses.