The speeding rich !

Demerit points were originally introduced to create a level playing field between the rich and the poor when it came to speeding penalties.

Just a fine for speeding the rich would pay with impunity - while that same fine would financially cripple a poor family. The addition of demerit points was supposed to create a second reason for better driving manners - the loss of a driving license !

Way down in the fine print was a clause that the rich have learned to exploit.

Where a car is owned by a company and driven by many people there is a chance that the actual driver can not be identified. In such cases, no demerit points can be allocated, but an additional fine of about a thousand dollars applies.

It seems that the rich exploit this escape route mercilessly - and we have cars with numerous speeding convictions but no identified offenders.

Time to close the loop holes - and maybe cancel that vehicles registration until the driver presents himself or herself as the culprit.

Unfortunately that is likely to create a new industry that will favour the rich. The creation of the " fall guy " - someone who is retired and rarely drives but has a full license - and is prepared to be the nominated offender and accept that loss of points - for a " consideration ".

Somehow - it seems the rich always win !