Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Do you think it would be fair if the fine were to attach one day of wages from each offender? So the amount of the fine would take the same bite out of everyone?
So what you prefer is that people with money ca treat the roads like their personal racetracks, because the tickets will have no real effect on them?
How is that better? Having it like that, you might as well just stop pulling over cars costing more than $100k, because you know the ticket will have no effect on their driving.
So what you prefer is that people with money ca treat the roads like their personal racetracks, because the tickets will have no real effect on them?
How is that better? Having it like that, you might as well just stop pulling over cars costing more than $100k, because you know the ticket will have no effect on their driving.
So what it comes down to is the behavior of the government versus the behavior of the wealthy. I'd be damned if I'm going to side with the government.
So what it comes down to is the behavior of the government versus the behavior of the wealthy. I'd be damned if I'm going to side with the government.
If the government is truly trying to deter unsafe driving (and this dude was going pretty fast; don't know the other circumstances), it is on the side of trying to keep safe other people who happen to be on the road. I don't think it's good when people with a lot of money can laugh off a penalty and do things that pose a danger to others with no threat of a real punishment.
Another option for more serious cases is to replace fines with community service. That could be more of a deterrent than even a high fine. People who are busy don't want to give up their time to go pick up litter or something like that. They'd rather write a check and go about their business.
So what it comes down to is the behavior of the government versus the behavior of the wealthy. I'd be damned if I'm going to side with the government.
Well, you do that, I respectfully disagree.
I find it's more often the opposite of this that's the problem anyway. Rich people have the money, resources and connections to bail their asses out of taking responsibility for their wrongdoings. That they actually have to pay a fine that comes out as more than what they make every two minutes seems fair to me, I've paid 1/3rd of a months salary, doing much less over the limit than he did.
If the government is truly trying to deter unsafe driving (and this dude was going pretty fast; don't know the other circumstances), it is on the side of trying to keep safe other people who happen to be on the road. I don't think it's good when people with a lot of money can laugh off a penalty and do things that pose a danger to others with no threat of a real punishment.
Another option for more serious cases is to replace fines with community service. That could be more of a deterrent than even a high fine. People who are busy don't want to give up their time to go pick up litter or something like that. They'd rather write a check and go about their business.
I actually agree with that. Thought speeding that excessively would render you without a license for at least a year (probably 3), in jail for 6 months (generally serving 2/3rds) in addition to a ticket (in the $2k range) in Norway, I think a really hefty community service punishment would be much more fruitful. Substitute that penalty with the much harsher 9 Months (all served, no "discount" for good behavior) doing community service, in addition to the loss of drivers license, and the behavior might just change. At least for a few months.
I will say, I generally think community service should be used in a much much more, instead of spending a lot of money keeping people inactive in a prison, use them for something that benefits society, which in turns lessens the cost of their punishment. There are very few non-violent crimes that couldn't be sentenced with community service, maybe sometimes linked with staying at a semi-open housing facility. (Curfew times, etc, but the ablitiy to move freely in society when complying with the rules.)
If his wealth is the basis for determining the fine, then that's what he's being fined for. It's quite simple and clear cut.
No it's not, if that was correct, he wouldn't have had to do anything wrong to be fined.
He broke the law by speeding, so he's getting a fine because he was doing so. The size of the fine will be determined by a judge, based on the speed, the danger posed to others and the financial situation of the perpetrator. None of which means he's being fined for being rich.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
