Traffic fines should be relative to the finee's income.
In Finland, traffic fines are calculated as a percentage of the offender's most-recently-reported income. In January 2002, Anssi Vanjoki, 44, (above) a director of the Finnish telecommunications giant, Nokia, received what is believed to be the most expensive speeding ticket ever— $12.5 million — for driving his Harley at 75 km/h (47 mph) in a 50km/h (31 mph) zone. Mr Vanjoki appealed the fine because his reported income dropped significantly about five days after the incident; because of the new data, the fine was dropped to $103,600, still the most expensive speeding fine in history.
True..., true
Side Score: 12
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Wait..., What? No!
Side Score: 10
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With traffic fines relative to the income of the one who was fined it will give those with more money than they know what to do with an incentive to not break the law. With actual consequences opposed to a light slap of the wrist, it would then be something to take notice of. Side: True..., true
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First, traffic fines are only a means of generating revenue for the state. They cause no deterrence from repeat offenders except the point system. Plus, most people fight the traffic offense in court and usually get a lower fine and point deduction. Traffic fines should be flat rates. What will people have to do? Carry your W2 form in your car stating your income. This is just too obtrusive of government. Side: Wait..., What? No!
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I agree. It doesn't matter if you can pay it off or not, the rich or poor person will get the same amount of points for the crime they commit. A rich person can't continue committing traffic violations because they will soon gain to many points and will lose their license. Side: Wait..., What? No!
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The fine is a punishment for a wrong action. If people perform the same action, they should get the same punishment. How could anything else be justice? Besides, making it relative to one's income is like punishing people for being successful, since richer people would have to pay more... that's just absurd. Side: Wait..., What? No!
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It is not to punish them for being successful - they are losing the same proportion of their income as the poorest of people. If a multi-millionaire looses only a few grand every time he commits a crime he has no reason not to commit the crime again or to commit other crimes. Side: True..., true
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