I just read that in Finland road traffic offence fines are proportinal to the offender's income. Hence Kimi Raikkonnen was fined 30'000 Euros for not having the right type of licence for the vehicle he was driving.

What do you reckon? I wonder how much they charge penniless students?!

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=32653

Dr_Pepper said:

I just read that in Finland road traffic offence fines are proportinal to the offender's income. Hence Kimi Raikkonnen was fined 30'000 Euros for not having the right type of licence for the vehicle he was driving.

What do you reckon? I wonder how much they charge penniless students?!

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=32653

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Well that sounds like an excellent idea to me.... It's hardly a punishment for some rich git to get a £60 speeding fine or parking ticket... Way to go Fins

That's what I thought, but what happens at the other end of the scale!

Dr_Pepper said:

That's what I thought, but what happens at the other end of the scale!

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I suppose there must be a limit to how low the fines will go, if not then those students may as well be in training for taking Kimi's place

I think the Finns have a great system. I wonder if they did it here you would get 10% NUS discount? lol

smurfhead said:

I think the Finns have a great system. I wonder if they did it here you would get 10% NUS discount? lol

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LOL @ Student Discount...

"Your Fixed Penalty notice sir for doing 70 in a 50"

"Do you accept student Discount? I forgot me NUS card though"

"that will be £60...and do you have a Nectar card Sir?"

smurfhead said:

"that will be £60...and do you have a Nectar card Sir?"

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"you will get points as well as points to spend in sainsburys"

Or Peter Kay style "Do you take NUS?"

"No, *calls over his mate" he's trying to offer me NUS, do him for dealing too".

I had a debate with my Dad tonight about the lib dem local income tax policies and he did repeat something into my arrogant skull; it's not always fair that lower income people should pay less for things.

Though as you say, Beckham should pay more than say myself for speeding.

The problem with relating it to income is that there are high earners who are skint and vice-versa, your earnings don't tell the whole story about your state of wealth, although it would be very difficult and time consuming to judge fairly what would be an equivalent fine for each persons financial situation.

I agree that in terms of punishment a higher fine is a more similar punishment for someone who is better off, but I don't think people should be penalized for doing well for themselves, the penalty should fit the crime. Surely the fine should reflect the seriousness of the offence not the wealth of the offender. The disadvantage with that is that very wealthy people may feel that they can afford to commit minor offences, but that's where the points system affects everyone equally and counteracts that kind of attitude.