How do European countries punish traffic violations?

Plus or minus, both systems must also be tough enough so that the rich do not flout traffic laws because they can easily pay fines.

Instead of imposing a fixed fine for a particular offence, such as failing to use a turn signal,Some European countries deduct a certain percentage from the offender's monthly income.

Fines compared across European countries for exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 km/h. Photo: The Inquisitr

For example, in Finland, fines are calculated after social insurance contributions, taxes, fees and a “basic subsistence allowance” (about $300) have been deducted from gross wages.

The remaining amount divided by 60 will result in a daily fine, not less than $7, multiplied by the severity of the violation. Each dependent will receive a reduction of approximately $4 from the daily fine.

That's just the minimum fine in Finland, as police can increase economic penalties for irresponsible violations. Day fines also apply only to certain violations, while others are assessed under the standard system.

The most typical application is speeding fines. If a driver is 20 km/h faster than the posted limit, he or she receives a regular fine. But once a speed camera detects that someone is going 21 km/h over, a “day fine” system is introduced. The difference in speed is only 1 km/h, but the economic difference is huge.

Finland is not the only country in Europe that has this system. The list below was compiled by Autoevolution and all show fines for going 20 km/h over the speed limit.

In some countries, fines depend on where the violation is committed, such as in a city or on a highway. Some places have a fixed fine regardless of where the violation is committed. Photo: TripSavvy

Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and Austria are the most lenient countries when it comes to speeding by more than 20 km/h. In Greece, the fine is $60 regardless of where the violation is committed. In Germany, the fine is slightly less for speeding on the highway or on suburban roads than in the city.

Austrians also face $60 fines for exceeding the 20 km/h speed limit outside of cities, slightly less on the highway, and even less in the city. Similar fines apply in Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Poland, Romania and Türkiye.

Belgium, France, Finland, Italy, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK are among the countries with "significant" fines for drivers exceeding the speed limit by 20 km/h, but not much more.

In the UK, fines are under $120 regardless of where the offence is committed. Ireland is lower. The Netherlands is more complicated, depending on where the offence is committed, and ranges from over $120 to $180.Regulations in Belgium are stricter, with violators having to pay around $180 regardless of whether they speed in the inner city or the suburbs.

Drivers are hit with the highest speeding fines in Denmark, especially in cities where they can cost around $475. They are less severe on highways ($390) and on roads outside cities ($240).

Other places with similar fines to Denmark include Portugal and Switzerland.

According to VNE