Swiss BMW Driver Slammed with $116,000 Tailgating Fine Because He's Rich

Swiss “day-fine” system and this case

• The fine is calculated in “daily rates”: court sets a number of days, then multiplies by an income-based daily amount.
• For such offenses, daily rates can go up to CHF 3,000; this driver got 50 days at CHF 1,970 each.
• The theoretical maximum fine is discussed as CHF 150k (~$175k).
• Commenters note this system has existed for decades in Switzerland and also in some other European countries.
• How the number of days is set (offense tables, prior offenses, judicial discretion) is raised but remains unclear from the article and thread.

Equality vs proportionality of fines

• One camp argues law should be “the same for everyone,” opposing income-based adjustments as unequal and potentially corrosive of legal neutrality.
• Others counter that flat fines are de facto unequal because they are trivial for the rich and crushing for the poor; proportional fines are framed as a better realization of equality.
• There is debate over whether “equality” should be measured in money paid, impact on one’s life, or risk/damage imposed on society.

Deterrence, harm, and justice

• Supporters see high, income-based fines as necessary to deter wealthy offenders; otherwise fines become a convenience fee.
• Critics argue CHF 100k+ for tailgating is disproportionate to the immediate harm and veers toward retribution rather than calibrated social cost.
• Some emphasize tailgating and speeding as genuinely dangerous, with strong penalties justified to prevent deaths and serious crashes.

Privacy, incentives, and implementation concerns

• Some find income disclosure for traffic fines invasive; others respond that governments already know income from taxes.
• Concerns are raised about perverse incentives for enforcers to target expensive cars, especially in systems where fine revenue funds local police.
• Suggestions include:
  • Scaling by income with caps and minima.
  • Including assets for low-income high-wealth people.
  • Tying fines to car value.
  • Using escalating penalties for repeat offenses.
  • Offering community service or jail-time alternatives.

Swiss driving and car culture

• Experiences differ: some call Switzerland “anti-car” due to strict rules and costly mistakes; others describe it as car-friendly but highly orderly, with relaxed, rule-abiding driving.