Blood Money

"Thirty dollars or 30 days" was once a standard sentence for petty offenses.

Now in Lexington, Ky., errant motorists are being given a novel choice by judges: your money or your blood.

Speeders, reckless drivers and those who have run through a stop sign or a red light can elect to give a pint of blood instead of paying a fine and court costs --unless those two total more than $29.50. The option became available in Fayette County quarterly court this month; in the first week, 15 out of 190 defendants, given the choice, have rolled up their sleeves for the local blood bank.

If an offender's blood is rejected because of some disease or other factor, he has to go back to court and pay the fine.

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