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Thread: Swede faces record $1m speeding penalty

  1. #1
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    Swede faces record $1m speeding penalty

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10960230

    "A Swedish driver who was caught driving at 290km/h (180mph) in Switzerland could be given a world-record speeding fine of SFr1,080m ($1m; £656,000), prosecutors say. The 37-year-old, who has not been named, was clocked driving his Mercedes sports car at 170km/h over the limit.

    Under Swiss law, the level of fine is determined by the wealth of the driver and the speed recorded.

    Local police spokesman Benoit Dumas said of the latest case that "nothing can justify a speed of 290km/h".


    "It is not controllable. It must have taken 500m to stop," he said.


    The Swede's car - a Mercedes SLS AMG - has been impounded and in principle he could be forced to pay a daily fine of SFr3,600 for 300 days.


    Fantastic.

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    Under Swiss law, the level of fine is determined by the wealth of the driver
    that seems a bit harsh... if i'm dirt poor i'd cop $50 fine then?
    The Swede's car - a Mercedes SLS AMG - has been impounded
    oh..that's okay then. ugly thing.
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    Quote Originally Posted by clutch-monkey View Post
    that seems a bit harsh... if i'm dirt poor i'd cop $50 fine then?
    yep, generally speaking, and it's the same way for some schools, the parents pay the same percentage of their wages; thus, some pay way more than others. It's fair, no?

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    I like that idea, seems more fair to me. Makes it harder for the rich to get away with things us common folk get screwed by.
    Life's too short to drive bad cars.

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    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by pimento View Post
    I like that idea, seems more fair to me. Makes it harder for the rich to get away with things us common folk get screwed by.
    Agreed
    Buy a car for you, not for other people

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    Quote Originally Posted by clutch-monkey View Post
    oh..that's okay then. ugly thing.
    I wondered how a Merc could have gotten up to 290km/h...
    Quote Originally Posted by aiasib View Post
    yep, generally speaking, and it's the same way for some schools, the parents pay the same percentage of their wages; thus, some pay way more than others. It's fair, no?
    That's good. Looks like Switzerland is the place to speed in.

    Or Italy.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer View Post
    I wondered how a Merc could have gotten up to 290km/h...

    That's good. Looks like Switzerland is the place to speed in.

    Or Italy.
    Yes, everybody quickly declare bankruptcy because of the purchase of a sports car and take it through the Alps!

    Congratulations to and shame on you, unnamed Swede.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer View Post
    I wondered how a Merc could have gotten up to 290km/h...

    That's good. Looks like Switzerland is the place to speed in.

    Or Italy.
    This. I could beat that speed and still only be fined $5. In fact, they may owe me money.

    Quote Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13 View Post
    Yes, everybody quickly declare bankruptcy because of the purchase of a sports car and take it through the Alps!

    Congratulations to and shame on you, unnamed Swede.
    And this. Except declare bankruptcy because of the purchase of two sportscars, and loan me one. I'm not that picky, I'd even be willing to deal with an Audi R8/Gallardo.
    Big cities suck

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    They should tack on one more punishment, he'd have to meet the guy that would rather drive his Prius and have a talk over a coffee, but he'd have to pay haha. I rly like the fairness deal for schools but does it really deter the poorer people not to speed? If i only had to pay $5 per ticket i'd have so many points on my license that i'd outscore the new Miami Heat super team

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cobrafan427 View Post
    I rly like the fairness deal for schools but does it really deter the poorer people not to speed? If i only had to pay $5 per ticket i'd have so many points on my license that i'd outscore the new Miami Heat super team
    Nah, even for poor people there is a lower limit to the fines, usually it's just enough to make it hurt, and after-all you can't THAT poor if you're driving a car and paying European fuel prices and car taxes. Even if you're unemployed they'll still gladly carve that lower limit out of your wallet. In this case, the guy in the SLS must easily be making $100 million+ a year.

    Iz teh socializmz ftw.

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    Quote Originally Posted by wwgkd View Post
    And this. Except declare bankruptcy because of the purchase of two sportscars, and loan me one. I'm not that picky, I'd even be willing to deal with an Audi R8/Gallardo.
    Nooooo!

    Wait! Speed or Audi. That looks like a really difficult decision...
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer View Post
    Nooooo!

    Wait! Speed or Audi. That looks like a really difficult decision...
    It's not that hard. It's a question of whether or not you would like to be on fire or not.
    I'm dropping out to create a company that starts with motorcycles, then cars, and forty years later signs a legendary Brazilian driver who has a public and expensive feud with his French teammate.

  13. #13
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    Marx would approve of this punishment.

    From each according to his ability...

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