Lessons from Switzerland and Finland
Both Switzerland and Finland have been testing this concept for years through what’s called the “day-fine system.” It calculates penalties based on daily income — meaning the more you earn, the higher your fine for the same offense. The system has led to jaw-dropping stories, like a Swiss driver fined nearly €100,000 for going 27 km/h over the limit, and a Swedish man paying an unbelievable €700,000 for a similar offense.
Still, researchers found that these income-based penalties cut down on repeat violations, at least in the short term. And they reveal something deeper about human behavior — that fairness might motivate us more than fear.
