St Gallen, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – A driver caught speeding at 137km per hour in an 80km zone in St Gallen has been sentenced to pay a CHF300,000 fine, calculated as a 130-day fine at CHF2,300 a day. The daily rate is based on his income. Half must be paid up front, and the other half is linked to good behaviour during a two-year suspended sentence.

Swiss voters in 2002 approved a system that went into effect in 2007, which replaces prison terms for certain crimes, such as speeding, with “day fines” based on income. The system has come under fire for not being sufficiently dissuasive, particularly where suspended sentences are used.

The St Gallen cantonal court took into consideration that the man is a repeat offender, according to the St Gallen Tagblatt, 7 January, and that his estimated annual income is CHF850,000. At the end of 2007 he was fined CHF90,000: 30 days at CHF3,000 for speeding. The court this week noted his disregard for rules of the road and safety, saying it was clear he was speeding for the pleasure of it.

The Rohrschach local public prosecutor’s office had asked for a fine of CHF90,000 in a lower court. That court raised the fine to CHF150,000, and the fine was raised again by the cantonal court when the offender appealed.

He can appeal the latest sentence to Switzerland’s Supreme Court.

Links to other sites: Tagblatt (Ger), Bluewin news (Ger)

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