Lecture Notes: Finland's Speeding Ticket System

Key Case Study

• Incident: Finnish businessman Rayma Kusla fined $58,000 for speeding (64 mph in a 50 mph zone)
• Public Reaction: Kusla posted about 12 Facebook updates expressing his anger
• Fine Calculation: Kusla's millionaire status led to a substantial fine

Finland's Speeding Ticket Calculation System

• Principle: Ensures equal financial suffering for the same crime, regardless of income

Calculation Method

1. Monthly Net Income: Driver's monthly net income is used as the base
2. Initial Deduction: 1500 Finnish marks (approx. $235) deducted from monthly income
3. Daily Disposable Income: Resulting number divided by 60
4. Dependents: Each dependent (spouse/child) reduces the income by 15 marks
5. Additional Assets: Up to 20 marks added based on assets like real estate
6. Day Fine: Final figure called a day fine
7. Infraction Multiplier: Day fine multiplied by a factor between 1 and 120, depending on infraction severity (decided by officer)

Notable Examples

• Highest Recorded Fine: $103,000 fine issued to a Nokia executive earning $14 million annually
• Lesson: High-income individuals face significantly larger fines

Conclusion

• Advice: Avoid speeding to prevent receiving hefty fines
• Buzz 60 Tagline: Now you know, pass it on