What is the idea behind progressive penalties?

A progressive penalty system is based on the principle that violating behaviour should be addressed more strongly as it occurs more frequently and seems to have become a matter of course. The thought here is that repetition of violating behaviour goes hand in hand with an increased crash rate; for a number of offences (speeding, alcohol violations) this relationship has indeed been shown [1].

Part of fact sheet

Progressive penalty systems in traffic

A progressive penalty system encompasses heavier or more far-reaching sanctions being imposed as one commits more offences.

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Reproduction is allowed with due acknowledgement:

SWOV (2017). Progressive penalty systems in traffic. SWOV fact sheet, July 2017. SWOV, The Hague.