Getting into an accident can be traumatic enough, now tack on a few more fees. In some municipalities across the country, revenues are so low that finding money has become impossible enough to now charge for basic emergency services. Yep, the next time you get into a wreck, for each engine, ambulance and even the jaws of life, the bill will swell…and your aches and pains will go beyond the aftermath of the accident.

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Critics argue that taxpayers already foot the bill for services and these new fees by cities and counties across the country are nothing other than a “crash tax”, meant to milk more money out of citizens already burdened by government misspending. Opponents also say that the belief insurance companies will cover the new fees is also untrue because some policies already fail to cover emergency response fees and companies that do cover them say it will drive up rates to the consumer.

Meantime, several hundred municipalities across the country have already set up a fee structure and garnered the necessary votes to collect the dough. Here in Sacramento, the city has postponed its decision until September, deciding to take a closer look to make sure all the questions are answered. If California’s State Capitol institutes the idea, Sacramento would become the largest city in the country to pass the “crash tax” and that might be enough to encourage other cities to do the same.

Already in this area of Central California, a number of smaller cities collect emergency responder fees and Sacramento would likely only charge for non residents involved in a crash. As city leaders tell us, it is all about being cash strapped in these tough economic times and the money collected would go directly to first responders, to ensure services are not cut back and that the department’s are properly funded.

So what are the charges you ask? Basic scene stabilization…$435. With Hazmat cleanup….$495. Jaws of life…..$1875. Airlift to hospital….$2275. Is that a small price to pay for security, safety and lifesaving measures? By the way…8 states have already outlawed this so-called “crash tax”, but California isn’t expected to do so.