Wealthy Finn received $103,000 speeding ticket

St. Louis Post Dispatch ^ | 04/15/02 | The Associated Press

[Orual]

HELSINKI, Finland - Anssi Vanjoki was driving his motorcycle 46.5 mph in a 30-mph zone. He got a ticket. His fine was $103,000. Finns are outraged.

The penalty was so harsh because traffic fines in Finland are based not just on the severity of the offense, but on the offender's income. Vanjoki is a senior executive of Nokia, the world's largest cell phone maker, and his fine was based on his 1999 income of $5.2 million.

[Libertina]

because traffic fines in Finland are based not just on the severity of the offense, but on the offender's income

Unbelievable! How did they sink so low? Wait...let me guess: "PROGRESSIVE" LIBERALS

[thucydides]

Finns have apparently been too long in the sauna, cooking their brains. Are they trying to drive every successful person out of the country?

[Fred Mertz]

European countries tend to have high-tax systems with excellent welfare services, and Finland with its 5 million people is no exception. Fines linked to income for various offenses are common elsewhere as well.

I didn't realize welfare services could be deemed excellent.

[Revolting cat!]

It's all unfair, it's always unfair. If you've ever had a misfortune to meet the whiners at a local traffic school (or been one yourself) you'll know what I mean. Victims of "fascism" we all are, ain't we?!

[alancarp]

"Sir, may I see your Driver's license,
vehicle registration, and current 1040 Form,
please?"

[Orual]

"The Fenni live in astonishing barbarism and disgusting misery: no arms, no horses, no household; wild plants for their food, skins for their clothing, the ground for their beds.." Tacitus (c. 55-120) Germania

[mafree]

Fines linked to income for various offenses are common elsewhere as well.

If that's the case my fines won't be too high.

[FourtySeven]

This is an excellent article for those naysayers out there that say America is as bad as Europe.

[Semper]

"Although the flaws affect only a few, we should consider whether measures can be taken to improve the law without destroying the system which, in itself, is just,"

That is a concept which has certainly escaped our lawmakers.

As far as this particular system being just, that still can be argued. There is something to be said about making traffic fines impact more equally by considering income but this instance is clearly beyond reason.

[Freemyland]

Unfortunately, what will happen is that someone will suggest we do this here, and cite "they do it in Finland" as support.

[Semper]

I didn't realize welfare services could be deemed excellent.

How about if those welfare services were properly conceived and administrated, helping only those in valid need (i.e. disabled) and you were a recipient those services. You might consider that service excellent.

[Wally Cleaver]

Fred, thanks for the flag. Can't wait to send this one to my wife who is a Finn---

[Wally Cleaver]

Fred, thanks for the flag. Can't wait to send this one to my wife who is a Finn. This happened to one of the Finn NHL hockey players who was vacationing in Finland, got caught speeding and had to pay some obnoxious fine.

[Semper]

someone will suggest we do this here

Not a chance of that happening here. Our lawmakers (mainly influenced by their monetary supporters) will not institute anything which is against their personal interests.

[Fred Mertz]

So what did the ole lady have to say about this?

[razorback-bert]

This is an outrage, he should'a been fined 10% of his income for such unsocial behavior,50% for his second and 100% for his third. Three time losers should not be able to work, that will teach 'em.