GRAND RAPIDS --The Michigan Driver Responsibility Law, passed three years ago, allows the state to tack on an extra fine when drivers get certain violations-like two speeding tickets within two years.

The measure was enacted to crack down on bad drivers, but it has been more of a hurdle for those unable to pay the lofty fines, rather than on the drivers for whom the law was passed.

Kerron De Priest believes she is a good driver. Her only accident was a fender bender on a snowy road-something not even listed on her driving record. But if she gets behind the wheel, she's considered an outlaw.

"I only do it when I have to," said Kerron. "But yeah, I take the chance of being caught and getting arrested, again."

The state suspended Kerron's license three years ago when she failed to pay two tickets. At the same time, she owed driver responsibility fines that she didn't even know about. After failing to pay those, the state suspended her license without her knowledge, and for three years, the fines added up until she owed almost $6,000.

Van Buren County Circuit Judge William Buhl is so outraged by the responsibility fines, he's on a personal mission to repeal them.

"The punishment is highly disproportionate to the crime," he said. "I can afford to pay one of these if I get stuck with it, but most people can't."

So far, Michigan has charged over $397 million dollars in these fines-and about 40% of those are related to driving with a suspended license.

De Priest isn't the only West Michigan resident struggling to keep up with the fines-Rockford resident Denis Marsh was caught in the trap as well. Marsh has racked up as much as $5,000 in fines.

"I have no drunk driving, no nothing. I have stupid, minor fines."

But for his latest fine, Marsh is off the hook. The judge in this court won't accept a guilty plea for suspensions from unpaid fines.

"We have a great deal of sympathy for these people," said 63rd Court Magistrate Al Smith. "We believe most of them honestly don't know they had to pay it."

Instead, the judge urges the prosecutor to plead the charge down to a violation that doesn't carry the administrative fine linked to driver responsibility.

"If there's any alcohol in their past, we don't cut them any deal," said Smith.

Kerron De Priest said not all police and courts are as understanding-she once spent four days in jail after being caught driving with a suspended license.

"If an officer pulls up behind you and runs your plates and sees the suspension, they will find a reason to pull you over."

Kerron can't afford to get her license back, and she's had to quit her job in Grand Rapids and move her family back to Lawton so her aging mother can be her designated driver.

"It's demeaning. You lose your independence. It's just really hard-I can't do anything without getting permission first."

Kerron is hoping to start a new business in a field and location where she can walk to work.

"This thing has really changed my life immensely."

Lawmakeres who voted in favor of the Driver Responsibility Law point out that traffic deaths fell 24% in New Jersey after they started assessing the fines.

Supporters say it takes five years to compile enough statistics to determine if any traffic safety program really works.

Five years will be next year for Michigan.