Question

Our town should double its fines for speeding. Studies show that higher fines result in less speeding, so increasing the fees should improve safety. There is no reason not to do this. If people can afford to pay a $50 fine, then surely they should be able to pay a $100 fine as well.
How sound is the reasoning given to support the claim "Our town should double its fines for speeding?" Explain your response in 3- 5 sentences. Make it sound like an 8th grader.

Answer 1

The reasoning given to support the claim is somewhat sound, but there are a few things to consider. It is true that studies show higher fines can make people speed less, which would be good for safety. However, just because people can afford to pay a $50 fine doesn't mean they can afford to pay a $100 fine. Some people might struggle more to pay the higher fine, so it could be unfair to them. It's important to think about how doubling the fines might affect different people in the town and not just assume everyone can afford it.