The other day a guy pulled out and passed me. I was driving slowly because I came by that way a few minutes earlier and saw the cop with radar sitting in the bushes near the corner. The guy just got past me when the cop invited him to curbside for a chat, or worse.
This took place in a 30mph stretch of road. The guy was probably doing 40. This got me thinking --- his fine would be based on his driving 10 over the limit and would probably be a modest cost. If he were in the country, where the limit was 60, his 10 over wouldn't be nearly as significant. My point, speeding fines based on the excess speed should vary with the posted limit. The guy I saw caught was doing about 30% over. If he was in the country, 10 over would only be about 15% over, but the fine would be the same.
In my opinion, speeding in the city is more serious than speeding in the country: Pedestrians, schools, intersections, driveways, and more distractions in general such as signs, traffic, buildings, and noise.
I would think percentage based fines would be both fairer and more effective than our current system.
Cheers, PW. |
