Most of us have been there — you’re nonchalantly cruising about 10 mph over the speed limit, only to notice a police car flash the lights behind you. It’s downer that’ll cost maybe $350, and a couple hours of traffic school to knock the point off the record.
But a similar infraction cost one driver nearly $60,000 in Finland.
Reima Kuisla was on his way to the airport when he got caught going 103 km/h (64 mph) in an 80km/h (50 mph) zone, setting him back 54,024 euros. It’s a seemingly excessive penalty until you realize how Finland calculates its fines.
Kuisla posted a picture of the fine on his Facebook page
Kuisla posted a picture of the fine on his Facebook page Unlike in the United States, where the flat fine is based on location and sped over the limit, Finland bases the penalty as a percentage of daily income, according to the previous year’s tax return. Since Reima Kuisla earned over 6.5 million euros ($7 million) in 2013, he had a penalty equivalent to a brand-new BMW M3. The rationale is that the fine should sting for anyone, whether they’re scraping by or living in the lap of luxury. Unsurprisingly, Kuisla isn’t a fan of progressive penalties:
"Ten years ago I wouldn't have believed that I would seriously consider moving abroad. Finland is impossible to live in for certain kinds of people who have high incomes and wealth," said Kuisla on his Facebook page.
He wasn’t the only one to pay a hefty sum in Finland — a Nokia executive had pay 116,000 euros (over $103,00) back in 2002 for speeding in a Harley. Say what you will about excessive fines, but that's a penalty no one forgets.
6. "It seems pretty reasonable to be honest" In response to Reply # 0
Once I was talking to a hockey player about this topic, he was not the highest-paid player in the league or anything but at the time he was making a little under $5M a year.
He was sort of complaining about his commute and how if you ride in the carpool lane as just one person you get roughly a $600 fine. But as the conversation went on, I found out his "complaint" was pretty superficial, he really didn't give a fuck about that and to top it off another dude told me he was the most annoying guy to ride with because he was texting the entire time. So the little $150 and $600 fines meant nothing to this guy, who earned a little less than the guy in question here.
Similarly I see in California that our higher-than-average fines often *cost* us money. I had to go to court for a cell phone ticket and of course sat through other trials. Multiple people couldn't pay their fines and took jail time, usually about two weeks of it, sometimes 30 days. WTF? That costs the state money rather than creating revenue. It's weird too because in other courts they try to avoid that, basically reduce the fine to what the defendant can reasonably come up with.
So while I don't know if Finland's system is perfect, I do get the rationale and see how a flat-fine type system fails.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
9. "it's insane to you because $60K is a lot to you" In response to Reply # 8
but if you're making $6.5 mil a year, that's less than 1% of your yearly income.
Which is about the same the average american would pay if they got caught speeding...($60,000 a year, $500 fine for speeding).
This is equality at it's finest. everyone is fined according to their income and then richer people or people who "got it" will realize what it's like to really be penalized for breaking the law because right now...if I'm making $6.5 million a year, getting a $500 ticket won't make me stop speeding.
Why should rich people get the more benefits (in regards to breaking the law)
12. "I bet their tax code is a bitch, too " In response to Reply # 8
But overall they have high satisfaction with their government, progressive leadership (for example they were/are way ahead in terms of having women in power) and they got a sauna for every two households!
I dunno, as a rich guy you're always fighting living where you want versus living where you maximize your wealth and trying to strike a balance. I mean living in Finland or Sweden might mean high taxes and heavily redistributive policies. Living in a developing nation might mean you live like a lord but that you're also a prisoner of your own wealth (security, isolation, etc). You're looking for the right balance. Well boo fucking hoo. That's the kind of dilemma you like to have, basically total freedom, at least in a relative way.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
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