Why does America seem to have stricter laws?

[HelloLadyGaggas]

The title is basically my whole question, but I have developer friends in European countries who whenever I speak about fines and tickets that I have gotten, always are surprised. For example, I hydroplaned at a stop sign and tapped a woman's car, very very lightly. There was no damage at all to either of our cars, but she called the police and I was given a ticket for following too closely that was like $200. When I told them, they were really surprised and said that you'd get a much much less severe punishment, if any, in their countries.