[tenzing]

That's fine for you personally, and it may sound all good from a logical, theoretical, or academic perspective, however I personally know of people who have lost their license due to multiple fines and "demerit points" (NZ) resulting in that consequence.

The fines, and loss of license hurt them personally, professionally, and financially, but didn't change their behavior outside of the very short term.

In NZ we have people that are in and out of prison due to burglaries, robberies, etc... but the penalties don't change their longer term behavior.

There's a deeper problem, and penalties are important, but not the entire fix.

[dmos62]

The occasional fine I get (and the prospect of getting another) does affect my driving habits and attentiveness, and it's the same for people close to me. Can't talk for others, though I'd expect this to be the norm.

[xythobuz]

Then these people _obviously_ are not fit to drive a multi-ton killing machine at all and should have their license permanently revoked, when they had multiple chances for introspection.

[genewitch]

I think whoever brought up the "fines as revenue" may have thought of Fenton, LA or the like: https://www.propublica.org/article/fenton-louisiana-brought-...

[mulmen]

And yet people drive with suspended licenses every day.

[johnisgood]

Yeah, as if "criminals" cared about the laws. :D (See: gun control).