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Vaud Court Imposes Up to 90,000 Franc Fine on Wealthy Lausanne Speeding Offender

The ruling showcases Switzerland’s voter-approved system that scales penalties to net worth by mandating a 10,000-franc upfront payment with an 80,000-franc suspended surcharge.

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Overview

  • The Vaud cantonal court’s June decision requires the unnamed repeat offender to pay 10,000 CHF immediately and triggers an additional 80,000 CHF if he reoffends within three years.
  • An automated radar recorded the French citizen among Switzerland’s richest driving 77 km/h in a 50 km/h zone in August 2024, marking his second speeding infraction in eight years.
  • Penal reforms approved by Swiss voters three years ago authorize judges to base fines on income, assets, lifestyle and family needs to equalize deterrent effects across wealth levels.
  • This case follows precedents like a 2010 St. Gallen fine of 290,000 CHF for a millionaire Ferrari driver and mirrors wealth-scaled systems in Germany, France, Austria and Nordic countries.
  • Under the system, poorer offenders may face custodial alternatives while high-net-worth individuals incur hefty monetary penalties aimed at ensuring road safety.