Originally Posted by
Jerseyguy
While I won't excuse the OP, I will say NZ$150 ($125USD) is quite alot for a seatbelt ticket. Here in the states, most states only charge $30-50USD. This isn't the states, I guess they must be very safety concious in New Zealand or perhaps its a bloated goverment that has alot of "FREE" stuff like health insurance so it has to pay for that some how. I'm sure taxes in New Zealand aren't low either.
Okay, so it is comparatively expensive. So are speeding fines and penalties for other traffic offences (as in Australia). That said, penalties for other things are much less than in the United States.
It reflects the differences in individual and community values that exist between the US and NZ. As for your comments about the value of universal health care and the rates of taxation, take it to OMNI/PR where it belongs (with the irony being that the tax burden in New Zealand and Australia is actually lower than in the United States).