Not so - there is very much a sliding scale here, and the fines are means tested. It’s just that the fixed penalty system of c£100 fine and 3 points is the (usual) minimum, and that covers most offences.
True, fixed penalty is £100 and 3 points, (or speed awareness course for about the same cost and no points) but if it goes to Court the numbers are quite draconian. Speeding in the UK is split into 3 bands. Band A 31-40mph in a 30 zone, fine 50% of your weekly income, average £240, band B, 41-50mph in a 30 mph zone, fine 100% of weekly income, average £480, band C, 51 and above in a 30 mph limit, fine 150% of weekly income (£720)and 6 points.
The German system isn't means tested, the fines start as low as 10 Euros and escalate as the excess speed rises, and certainly at the low end of excess speed it is little more than a slap on the wrist. As far as I know, you can be continually fined for small infringements without any long-term consequences. Someone told me that speeding fines in Germany and particularly Austria are a normal way of life. I find it amazing that I have managed to hold a full UK license for 50 years and never had a speeding fine here but I have had one small fine from Germany (speed camera by post) and I know I set off 2 cameras without consequence, and 2 small fines in Austria (policeman with hand-held radar). There is a points system (Punkt in Flensberg). There is a sliding scale from 0 points to a maximum of 2 points, 8 being required for a ban.
So as I said in my last post, the philosophy is different. In Germany you get caught frequently and get fined for smaller excess speed than UK, but it is usually a little slap on the wrist. Here the minimum fine is 10 x the German, and you get points, but you may get a little more leeway, and you appear to be less likely to be caught. If you are caught it is big stick
