Crackdown on Drivers Paying to Keep Their License despite Poor Record
Large numbers of individuals, worried about losing their driver’s license and potentially their employment, have reportedly paid others to take the demerit points for their traffic violations, as stated by someone who has benefitted from the scheme.
The New South Wales (NSW) government has made a commitment to crack down on this practice by initiating a review of the state’s demerit points system.
An investigation over three months will examine potential manipulation of the process that permits another driver to be assigned responsibility for demerit points resulting from violations.
The investigation will focus on 0.005 percent of the state’s nearly seven million license holders—around 350 individuals—holding 20 or more demerit points.
Furthermore, it will assess the effectiveness of current penalties, suspensions, and other measures to discourage individuals from accumulating demerit points, noting that the same five-month suspension applies to drivers with 13 points or more than 20.
Several advertisements on Facebook Marketplace, from multiple accounts with different names but the same contact number, offered to handle demerit points for as little as $30.
When contacted through the specified encrypted messaging platform on July 19, the provided number responded with an automated message due to a high volume of clients, requesting a photo of the fine and additional identification details.
The message assured that once all necessary information was received, the fine would be taken care of promptly.
An hour later, a response labeled the offer as a “service that aids the community.”
The message expressed a desire to assist people in retaining their driver’s license and stated that sometimes individuals have to resort to certain measures, hence the offer of help.
The messenger informed AAP that many individuals seeking assistance with demerit points were afraid of losing their jobs due to a mistake jeopardizing their license, and the “service” had aided “thousands.”
The government’s crackdown follows the case of a French delivery driver accumulating over 200 demerit points on his NSW license in May.
Over five decades after the initiation of the demerit points system, Roads Minister John Graham announced on July 19 that a review was necessary.
“The NSW government has a strict policy against anyone trying to manipulate the system,” he stated.
“The road rules are consistent and applicable to everyone.” he added.
The task force consists of Transport for NSW, NSW Police, and Revenue NSW.
As of July 19, the NSW road toll for 2024 reached 190, which is 16 more fatalities compared to the same period last year and 28 above the state’s three-year average.
