In a surprising turn of events, a man in Finland was slapped with a jaw-dropping fine of €121,000 (~$130,000) for exceeding the speed limit by approximately 20 mph. However, before you swear off renting a car in Helsinki, it's important to understand the unique system behind Finnish speeding tickets.
Known as the "day fine" system, Finland calculates fines based on the offender's income. Under this system, half of the offender's daily income is multiplied by a specific number of days, which increases depending on the severity of the offense. In this case, the driver facing the staggering six-figure penalty happens to be Anders Wiklöf, the founder of Wiklöf Holding, a multimillion-dollar company, and one of Finland's wealthiest individuals.
The day fine system has been in place in Finland since 1921 and has been adopted by other countries, including Switzerland, which holds the world record for the largest speeding fine. A daring motorcyclist in Switzerland was once slapped with a fine equivalent to over $1 million for a daring display of speed, reminiscent of the movie "Mad Max: Fury Road."
While the hefty fines may serve as a deterrent, it's worth noting that Finland's stunning landscapes, particularly in Lapland, make renting a car an excellent way to explore the countryside. Just be sure to keep an eye on the speedometer to avoid any unexpected financial surprises.
[Information sourced from Morning Brew]
