From the AP, 1/7/2010:

Swiss court fines speeding millionaire $290,000

 ST. GALLEN, Switzerland – A Swiss court has slapped a wealthy speeder with a chalet-sized fine — a full $290,000.

Judges at the cantonal court in St. Gallen, in eastern Switzerland, based the record-breaking fine on the speeder's estimated wealth of over $20 million.

A statement on the court's Web site says the driver — a repeat offender — drove up to 35 miles an hour (57 kilometers an hour) faster than the 50-mile-an-hour (80-kilometer-an-hour) limit.

Court clerk Heidi Baumann-Becker said Thursday the unidentified driver can appeal the decision, handed down in November, to the Swiss supreme court.

The Blick daily newspaper in Zurich reported the fine was more than twice the previous Swiss record of about $107,000.

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I will never break the speed limit while driving in Switzerland.

It appears, assuming the fine is based on one’s net worth, the rule of the land for speeding and getting caught there is about 1.5% of said assets.

That’s fucking hefty.

Now, I’m no millionaire and even though my (financial) assets are barely greater than my debts, 1.5% of my miniscule net worth would indeed be a big bite.

I will admit to having a bit of a lead foot. I’m not necessarily proud of it, but I won’t deny it. The twisty country roads around here combined with a love of driving make that inevitable. Keep in mind speed limits are usually set by engineers who work for state transportation agencies and are based on a particular road’s condition combined with a low average denominator with regard to general vehicle handling and driver ability. There are untold numbers of charts and complex equations used to determine speed limits. I know; I’ve seen them and worked with people who, amazingly, understand them.

But breaking the law is breaking the law so I’m not excusing myself from an obligation to follow the rules. I just find it hard sometimes.

As I knock on the fake wood finish of my computer desk, I'll state that I've only been pulled over for speeding three times in my nearly 27 years of driving, the last time being well over 10 years ago. Of those three times, I was only given a ticket once. I guess the cop who did finally cite me was less impressed than the other two with my witty repartee.

Still, I speed anyway. Not all the time and not in every vehicle in which I get behind the wheel. That would be foolish; all cars are not created equal. And when I do speed, I’m not driving just as fast as I can possibly go and still keep the car on the road. It’s the kind of speeding I imagine many of us do. You know, 5, 10, 15 miles an hour over the limit depending on the road, weather and traffic conditions. I don't drive impaired and my vehicles are always kept in top condition.

But there are times, such as on an lonely country road that winds through the hills or a long, straight expanse of blacktop, when I feel the need to stretch my car’s piston rods a bit.

During these times I may exceed the posted speed limit by more than 15 miles an hour.

It’s the short chirp of the rear tires.

It’s the low rumble of the V8 that builds to a crescendo before each shift.

It’s the wide Goodyears and tight suspension that make the car handle as if on rails.

And yes, it’s the wind in the hair and the rush of go-fast fun. So I’ll take the ticket if I get one.

But if I’m in Switzerland, I’ll be taking the bus.