‘Last year, a rich businessman in Finland who exceeded the approximately 30 mph speed limit by 20 mph was assessed a fine of about $130,000. “I really regret the matter," Anders Wiklöf, 76, told a local newspaper.
‘It’s a good bet he did. But Wiklöf could afford it; he’s chairman and founder of a roughly $375 million-a-year holding company.’
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/08/europe-speeding-day-fines-wealthy/
I suppose he does regret it. I’m unhappy with a $50 fine for exceeding the speed limit. I check a county website weekly that shows where the speed cameras in school zones are. I’m especially careful on those roads when the speed cameras are at the schools I drive by.
Well lots to unpack with this. Lots changed in European politics after the big war. When we would analyze pay structures of companies in class, it was amazing how many actually punished performance. Governments do the same and many of our members here think this is great. On the other hand I don’t read that rag anymore.
They do more creative things to promote road safety in Europe. France uses helicopters to spot large vehicles that are following too closely. People who drive recklessly have to visit people in hospitals who were injured in accidents. Fines for at least foreign drivers have to be paid on the spot so they can’t just drive out of the country. They accept credit cards.
The issue of wealthy people getting ticket after ticket and continuing to speed has been a problem. They finally decided to go with the idea that a punishment should be equal to all regardless of wealth. 1 day in jail is mostly an equal punishment for the wealthy and the poor. A 100 Euro ticket is not an equal punishment.
Similar system exists on the island of Jamaica. Police target biracial and people who look wealthy on a regular basis.
If you are biracial and your skin tone is close to white, you are likely to be pulled over by a police officer and be accused of the smallest things. And they always come to a plea with you by saying they will let you go with a warning only if you give them a pocket change.
Full black people experience the same treatment when they appear rich or wealthy.
The US has a different history and why the constitution specifies equal justice for all, rich or poor. Some would like to change it in their twisted view of justice.
There’s a fundamental problem with changing the price of something based on what we think the buyer can afford. The price of a thing should be the price, no matter who is buying it. I don’t care if we are talking about a dozen eggs, a washing machine, or a speeding ticket. I shouldn’t have to pay more for something than you do simply because I can afford it.
Is it? If I need to go to jail for a day I can use my vacation time. A flat-rate mechanic may lose a day’s pay. A minimum-wage fast food worker may lose their job.