Swede could face huge speeding fine — up to $962,000. (for going 180mph)

[Stuart G]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38660951/ns/world_news-europe/

One Swedish motorist could be facing a gargantuan speeding fine — up to $962,000 — after he was caught driving 180 mph along a Swiss motorway.

Police seized the Swede's driver's license and 570-horsepower black Mercedes-Benz after he was released from police custody, The Local, a website that covers Swedish news, reported. He could face a penalty of up to 1 million Swiss francs — or $962,000 — depending on his income level, The Local reported.

In Switzerland speeding fines are based on the severity of the offense and the offender's income level.

Police said the 37-year-old motorist was driving so fast in this $240,000 sports car that it took him nearly half a mile to stop.

[villager]

1. Dang -- you mean I could get from L.A. to S.F. in just over two hours!?

n/t

[gratuitous]

2. And the jerkwad was in the left lane with his blinker on

Held me up for miles! Get outta my way, Ingmar!

[backwoodsbob]

3. DAYAM..JUST DAYAM

I'm sorry but if you have a sports mercedes capable of 180 and get nailed...screw you...eat the fine

[JBoy]

4. LOL. And the guy tries to blame a faulty speedometer.

[tabatha]

5. nearly half a mile to stop ... jeepers

so his fine is four times the cost of the car. Ouch.

[slackmaster]

6. Those are nice cars

:nuke:

[pitohui]

7. "could be" but probably won't, what a bunch of bullshit

having read the whole article, i can only conclude that it's bullshit

someone did a calculation based on the speed times the possible highest income anyone could have (maybe bill gates was driving the car?) and IF the person was this wealthy THEN they would pay such a fine (which would be trivial to bill gates)

no evidence is offered that THIS person has sufficient income to be assessed such a fine, the whole article is "IF" he has such an income "THEN"

[Merlot]

8. Having fines based on offenders income level makes sense

Since income levels might be hard to prove here, it should be based on the value of your car registration.

[MajorChode]

12. Better yet, pay cops on commission as a percentage of the fine

Then sit back and listen to all the Repugnants squeal about profiling.

[L0oniX]

9. Another stuck accelerator?

[MajorChode]

10. I've always thought fines should be based on a person's income and wealth

What purpose does it serve to fine a millionaire $200 for speeding?

[X_Digger]

14. Let the punishment fit the crime / lex talionis / culpae poenae par esto

As it's the relative severity of the crime, that poses a risk to society.

Is the rich asshole speeding 20mph over the limit more a risk to other drivers than the teenager out joy riding at 20mph over the speed limit?

[Merlot]

16. The rich asshole speeding won't feel the pain of a $200 fine

Most teenagers don't have income or only small one. Make the fine relevant to the registration fee of the car. If teenagers parents bought them a fancy car, well someone will have to pay.

[X_Digger]

17. That concept- punishment fitting the crime- is ancient.

Hammurabi's code had it.

Hell, it's one of the core principles of western philosophy w/r/t justice.

"Judicial punishment can never be used merely as a means to promote some other good for the criminal himself or for civil society, but instead it must in all cases be imposed on him only on the ground that he has committed a crime."

Immanuel Kant, The Metaphysical Elements of Justice

So much for 'Equal Protection under the Law'.

[apocalypsehow]

11. Jeeze Louise...I hope it was worth it! That's a steep fine. n/t.

[flvegan]

13. Mmm...the SLS AMG. Gullwing doors, all that power.

Sigh.

[Swede]

15. I need help,ladies and gentleman.

Can you spare a dime?

[SidDithers]

18. Thought about you right away...

:hi:

Sid

[Swede]

19. Hey,Sid.

:hi: