Speedster

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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:32 pm

Swiss man gets record speed fine

A Swiss millionaire has been handed down a record speeding fine of $290,000 (£180,000) by a court.

The man was reportedly caught driving a red Ferrari Testarossa at 137km/h (85mph) through a village.

The penalty was calculated based on the unnamed motorist's wealth - assessed by the court as $22.7m (£14.1m) - and because he was a repeat offender.

It is more than double Switzerland's previous record speeding fine - handed to a Porsche driver in Zurich in 2008.

In the latest case, the motorist was clocked speeding 57km/h (35mph) faster than the limit, according to the cantonal court in St Gallen, eastern Switzerland.

"The accused ignored elementary traffic rules with a powerful vehicle out of a pure desire for speed," the court said in its judgement.

Swiss media reported that the man owns a villa with five luxury cars, including the Ferrari.

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:43 pm

I guess he will be slowing down Very Happy

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

That's a real shame, although it reinforces my views about the anti-car Swiss.

I won't be slowing down.

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:52 pm

85 MPH is roughly 125 FPS. With an average response time of 1 and ¼ second. Well hell that is 156 feet traveled before his foot even touches the brake to stop if something was in the road.

I driven faster though.

Yep, it's a real shame when they make the punishment fit the crime.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

Quote:

Yep, it's a real shame when they make the punishment fit the crime.

If only it was more consistent for more serious crimes - he didn't actually hit anyone.

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:30 am

It didn't say he hit anyone. You think that matters? I was just a fine. There the law obviously bases fines on your income so it is consistent. Why would you think otherwise?

You really think a $200 dollar fine would have any effect on guy like him? You want to wait until he kills someone so you can get up on you soapbox about that?

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Posts: 689

Yet if he hit & killed someone in the UK .... small fine, points on your license, maybe just maybe a short ban.

Being handed a fine that hurts your pocket makes you think twice before doing it again. Unless you're one of those people that never learns.

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:14 am

Quote:

If only it was more consistent for more serious crimes - he didn't actually hit anyone.

It's actually a bit more complicated in Switzerland. When you speed like that, something that roughly translates to "contingent intent" comes into play. It means that if you accidentally kill somebody because you're speeding, it will be considered deliberate manslaughter by the court because you were aware of the risk and chose to ignore it. This may lead to some pretty stiff fines/sentences (which is a good thing in my book).

And frankly, driving through a village at that speed, it was pure dumb luck and coincidence that he didn't kill somebody. A fine for 137km/h means he actually drove at least 142, which amounts to between 150 and 160 (i.e. 100mph) on the speedometer. That prick should have the living shit beaten out of him until the very thought of driving a car leads to fear-induced loss of control over his sphincter for the rest of his life.

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:06 am

I wish he was taken his driving licence back.
As mentionned, if ever he hits and kills somebody, I see this behavior as "premeditated murder".

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:45 am

Quote:

I wish he was taken his driving licence back.

s a repeat offender he can expect to lose it for at least 6 months, plus at least 12 months if he's caught behind the wheel during that time. It mostly depends on the severity of his past offences.

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:02 am

At the end of the day, the guy got off lightly. If he's that wealthy, the fine will make absolutely no difference to him.
A real punishment would have been to take his license from him.

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:44 am

I hate to say this, but I think exactly as SOOI.
I mean IN THIS CASE, don't misunderstand me...

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 1:25 pm

^ Everybody has weak moments. Wink

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:57 pm

I totally agree with SOOI. He should lose his license for at least a couple of years.
I wish we could bait him somehow...

Baiting Guru Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 2163

Ghost wrote:

85 MPH is roughly 125 FPS. With an average response time of 1 and ¼ second. Well hell that is 156 feet traveled before his foot even touches the brake to stop if something was in the road.

I driven faster though.

Yep, it's a real shame when they make the punishment fit the crime.

You never been in Germany eh Smile

Some highways have no speed restrictions, you may drive as fast as you want. There used to be no speed restrictions at all, but over the years that has changed to 120 - 130 KM/H But driving over 200 KM/H is still allowed on some highways.

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 6:24 pm

Quote:

reportedly caught driving a red Ferrari Testarossa at 137km/h (85mph) through a village

I read that as "red Farrari Testosterossa" Razz