Speeding was just a convenient example. Shoplifting would work just as well. So would jaywalking, or loitering or disturbing the peace. Penalties are set high

Speeding was just a convenient example. Shoplifting would work just as well. So would jaywalking, or loitering or disturbing the peace. Penalties are set high because in the US they're enforced only irregularly. If the US moves to some kind of near universal enforcement, problems will occur because of that.