We should change “fixed rate” fines to income based proportional fines.
So if a person on breaks a law, driving in a bus lane for example, they get fined £30 to be paid within 14 days or £60 in 30 days, otherwise it doubles again.
If this person was on minimum wage, have practically zero money at their disposal, this £30 is devastating. It sometimes would need to be borrowed off a friend or family. If they are really poor, they get punished further with the £60.
I don’t disagree with the fine, but this should be proportional to income.
Minimum wage from April 2025 is £12.21 for over 21’s. This works out to £458 per week before tax (37.5hrs). The £30 fine works out to 6.5% of a weekly income.
We should set a rate based on a persons income as a percentage. Low fines for the wealthy means nothing. Some actively choose to pay the fine rather than be “delayed” or reduce an “inconvenience”
Also, rather than off the wages (directors can pay themselves minimum wage), it needs to be based on all income / revenue that person received as income / assets / shares etc. Tax laws defiantly need reformed.
Proportional fines based off total income. Stop penalising the poor.
