Some of us have been there — cruising about 20km/h over the speed limit, only to notice someone above(overhead bridge to be exact) looking down on you, with a camera that is. It’s downer that will cost about S$150, and some demerit points.

But a similar infraction cost one driver over S$80,000 in Finland.

Reima Kuisla was on his way to the airport when he got caught going 103 km/h in an 80km/h zone, setting him back 54,024 euros. It’s a seemingly excessive penalty until you realize how Finland calculates its fines.

The fine for exceeding the speed limit is 100-115 euros for excess speeds of up to 20 km/h. For a minor traffic offence the fine is a maximum of 50 euros. For serious speeding offences and for other traffic offences the fine is determined according to the driver’s income. Fines are calculated on the basis of net monthly income using taxation data for the previous year.

A police officer can also confiscate the driver’s licence immediately, in which case the driver can no longer continue to drive the vehicle. A foreign driver will be given back the licence only on leaving the country. Seriously endangering traffic safety is reported as a crime.

So since Reima Kuisla earned over 6.5 million euros (S$9.8 million) in 2013, he had a penalty equivalent to a 5 year old Nissan Fairlady here. The rationale is that the fine should sting for anyone, whether they’re scraping by or living in the lap of luxury. Unsurprisingly, Kuisla isn’t a fan of progressive penalties.

"Ten years ago I wouldn't have believed that I would seriously consider moving abroad. Finland is impossible to live in for certain kinds of people who have high incomes and wealth," said Kuisla on his Facebook page.

He wasn’t the only one who to pay a hefty sum in Finland — a Nokia executive had pay 116,000 euros (over S$175,000) back in 2002 for speeding in a Harley.

So, what do you think about this kind of fine structure? Do you think its fair?