Is it “Safer” in Switzerland
American automotive enthusiasts know that Virginia is for lovers, “not for speeders.” Over in Europe, meanwhile, Switzerland’s similar reputation as a place where traffic infractions can rack up big penalties continues to grow. Just ask the Swiss lawyer who received a whopping ticket of more than $115,000 for following the vehicle in front of him too closely in his BMW in 2023 and has been fighting it since. The 58-year-old man was on the “A1” highway near Zurich behind the wheel of a BMW 540d sedan when he received the violation.
The man was allegedly observed tailing a leading vehicle at a distance of 26 to 40 feet at speeds up to 74 mph. The lawyer denied this, and after being found guilty in Zofingen District Court, he appealed the violation to a higher court. However, the higher court found no validity in his arguments that he was questioned without being read his rights and that calculating the following distance by video was inaccurate.
The initial fine totaled out to around $116,000 (50 times a daily rate of $2,328) plus a secondary $16,000 fine; the lawyer’s appeal to the higher court did grant him a small break on the latter, bringing it down to around $11,000. Fines for traffic infractions such as tailgating and speeding are based on the accused party’s income in Switzerland. The court has argued the lawyer has an annual net income of around $2 million, hence the lofty fine. Despite losing two appeals already, the lawyer did bring the issue to the supreme court to continue his crusade. The High Court did give him some reprieve, fortunately for him, he doesn’t have to pay it — necessarily. The supreme court gave the fine a two-year suspension. This means the lawyer has to pay it only if he commits another traffic violation within those two years. Wonder if that threat will get him to keep his distance on the road?
But wait there is more!
A Swiss politician was fined for buying pink water pistols online because authorities say the toys violated the country’s weapons law, a local newspaper reported. “Aargauer Zeitung” on Friday reported that Marc Jaisli — a member of the local council in Buchs, a town west of Zurich — ordered the water pistols in August through ultra low-cost online retailer Temu for his Godchildren as a gift. Prosecutors ordered him to pay a fine totaling 6,500 francs ($7,390) for a violation of weapons law, arguing that it applied even though the pistols were imitations “because they could be confused for real firearms due to their appearance” — despite the pink color. Jaisli said he had not been aware of the violation, but accepted the penalty and paid the fine.
That’s a lot of Cheese
What do they use to make Swiss cheese?
Hole milk.
Where is the capital of Zimbabwe?
In a Swiss bank account.
A man wants to deposit money at a Swiss bank.
“How much do you want to deposit?” asks the bank employee.
Whispers the man, “Three million.”
“You can speak up,” says the bank clerk. “In Switzerland, poverty is not a disgrace.”
I went to test drive a BMW.
The sales person said I didn’t tailgate enough to own one.
March 18th Birthdays
1963 – Vanessa Williams, 1990 – Lily Collins, 1970 – Queen Latifah, 1997 – Ciara Bravo
1962 – Mike Rowe, 1990 – Michael Knowles, 1938 – Charley Pride, 1964 – Connor Byrne