Swede faces world-record $1m speeding penalty

Mark Latimour · #1 08-13-2010, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC

Swede faces world-record $1m speeding penalty

A Swedish driver who was caught driving at 290km/h (180mph) in Switzerland could be given a world-record speeding fine of SFr1,080m ($1m; £656,000), prosecutors say.

The 37-year-old, who has not been named, was clocked driving his Mercedes sports car at 170km/h over the limit.

Under Swiss law, the level of fine is determined by the wealth of the driver and the speed recorded.

In January, a Swiss driver was fined $290,000 - the current world record.

Local police spokesman Benoit Dumas said of the latest case that "nothing can justify a speed of 290km/h".

"It is not controllable. It must have taken 500m to stop," he said.

The Swede's car - a Mercedes SLS AMG - has been impounded and in principle he could be forced to pay a daily fine of SFr3,600 for 300 days.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10960230

I imagine most countries speeding fines are based partly on the level at which you go over the speed limit, but what do you think about fines based on a percentage of your wealth or, for example, gross annual income in the year before you get the fine?

sloasdaylight · #2 08-13-2010, 12:49 AM

Basing a fine on a percentage of your wealth is dumb.

Mark Latimour · #3 08-13-2010, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

Basing a fine on a percentage of your wealth is dumb.

Would it make the maths too hard for you?

bmc · #4 08-13-2010, 01:03 AM

This is the first time I here of fines as a percentage of wealth in Switzerland. Usually, I pay $20 per kilometer over the limit.

About five years ago, they starting putting camera boxes all over the place. There was a time when I'd drive to work at 160 km/hr. I've had it up to 190 on the motor way.

It's harder and harder to speed in Europe. France has really clamped down. Used to be able to cruise at 170. The speed limit is 130.

The Italians hate it when the Swiss drive in their country. The Swiss diligently fine everyone. Then, as soon as they enter Italy, we all speed like mad. Back when the airspace was closed due to the volcano, I drove down to Turin to pick up my boss in his new A5 cabrio. We drove back at 200km/hr.

I love Europe. Why should I leave?

GregC · #5 08-13-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

Basing a fine on a percentage of your wealth is dumb.

How can they know, anyway? Aren't all the bank accounts there secret?

Mark Latimour · #6 08-13-2010, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregC

How can they know, anyway? Aren't all the bank accounts there secret?

Not if your bank account is in Sweden!

12bass · #7 08-13-2010, 01:22 AM

Isn't the idea to make the fine a disincentive for speeding? Even a $500 fine is trivial for people who can afford AMGs. In a sense matching fines to one's income serves to level the playing field by making the disincentive proportional to one's wealth. This serves to create a sort of equality under the law, where equal transgressions of the law have equally proportional consequences.

jp58 · #8 08-13-2010, 01:23 AM

I see nothing wrong with either part of this.

If you can pay the money, even if its ridiculous, its better than spending the time in jail for such behavior.

GregC · #9 08-13-2010, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Not if your bank account is in Sweden!

Gah! bmc's in Switzerland, that's what screwed me up. Also, it's 2:30 am here.

RestInPieces · #10 08-13-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

Isn't the idea to make the fine a disincentive for speeding? Even a $500 fine is trivial for people who can afford AMGs. In a sense matching fines to one's income serves to level the playing field by making the disincentive proportional to one's wealth. This serves to create a sort of equality under the law, where equal transgressions of the law have equally proportional consequences.

+ 1 million

T-Bird · #11 08-13-2010, 01:31 PM

Hi.

The fines are based on ones wealth and income over here as well.

Regards
Sam

**john turner** · #12 08-13-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

Isn't the idea to make the fine a disincentive for speeding? Even a $500 fine is trivial for people who can afford AMGs. In a sense matching fines to one's income serves to level the playing field by making the disincentive proportional to one's wealth. This serves to create a sort of equality under the law, where equal transgressions of the law have equally proportional consequences.

i agree with this completely. dude should feel it - he certainly would have felt it, along with other innocent folks - if he had plowed into someone at that speed.

**SoComSurfing** · #13 08-13-2010, 03:07 PM

At what level is it determined that a fine like this must be levied? Here in Alabama you can pay a flat fine up to 25 mph over the speed limit. Above that it's considered reckless driving and you must appear before a judge. Is there a certain point like this that serves as a baseline for such a hefty judgement?

Pilgrim · #14 08-13-2010, 03:15 PM

Different strokes, and all that. A $100 fine for speeding is lunch money for a guy with a Merc AMG.

I understand that in some Scandinavian countries, ONE drunk driving conviction costs you your license for life.

I think I could live with that in the states.

MatticusMania · #15 08-13-2010, 03:23 PM

Man, I got a $355 ticket for going 15mph over the limit on the freeway last summer.

(wich still hasnt gotten paid yet, btw)

Fassa Albrecht · #16 08-13-2010, 03:50 PM

I've said it before and I'll say it again: these kinda laws are DUMB!

The size of your wallet has nothing to do with the ABILITY to commit a crime. People might argue that the fine should hurt the offender proportionally to their ability to pay, but in proportion to the actual offense, it's OTT.

12bass · #17 08-13-2010, 05:05 PM

Although I don't necessarily agree with this line of reasoning, one way to think of income correlated fines is that it serves to balance the way that punishment fits the crime. A small fine is not likely to be seen as serious by someone who is wealthy, and thus does little to discourage them from breaking the law.

Personally, I think that a lot of laws are arbitrary and do little to serve the public good. Oddly enough, I was in court recently fighting my own speeding ticket. Although I brought up a number of important technical objections which undermined the prosecution's case, the judge nevertheless ruled against me. In my case I was going above the posted limit, but was not anywhere near an unsafe speed considering the roadway and driving conditions. The individual in the OP I was traveling nearly three times the speed limit....

MatticusMania · #18 08-13-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12bass

In my case I was going above the posted limit, but was not anywhere near an unsafe speed considering the roadway and driving conditions.

Tell me about it...

on the freeway, no traffic, about to head up a rather steep hill. I accelerated to 80mph (the flow of traffic at the time) to give myself an extra little jump on the incline.

12bass · #19 08-13-2010, 05:13 PM

Ah... the flow of traffic.... didn't help for me either. Although, from what I've read, some places have laws which do take it into account. Reminds me of driving around Los Angeles and on the 401 near Toronto, where practically nobody goes less than 20% over the posted limit.

MatticusMania · #20 08-13-2010, 05:16 PM

I was headed to Los Angeles...