Click Now to Order

ADVOCATE

A Swedish company has come up with a new way to deal with parking fines and speeding tickets. The company claims to be the first to offer insurance against common traffic violations.

For an annual fee of 850 crowns (about $112 US), Swedish drivers who register with the company are covered against three speeding tickets a year as long as they are not more than 30 km an hour above the posted speed limit. For an extra charge, drivers can also buy coverage against parking tickets. Sweden has one of the best highway safety records in the world, part of the reason may be the high fines charged for offenses. An average speeding fine in Sweden ranges from 800 to 2000 crowns, and 425 to 700 crowns for parking violations.

Dan Glimmeras, head of marketing at the insurance company, says insurance against speeding fines is not illegal, and repeat offenders could still lose their driver's license. He says "We believe drivers are under economic pressure and there is no room in household budgets to pay fines. We offer economic protection." Glimmeras says several thousand drivers have already signed up for the new insurance plan.

—Reuters, Sure, I was speeding, officer—I'm insured, August 10, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 John 2:1 (HCSB) "My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous One."