Making punishment fit the crime !

In the past, there was a serious flaw in the procedure to discipline those who committed serious driving offences.   Either the police handed out an on the spot fine, or the offender faced court and the magistrate handed out a heavier fine - and sometimes a driving license disqualification for a nominated period of time.

In many cases the fine went unpaid and judging by the number of cases of people driving unlicensed, many offenders simply thumbed their nose at the license disqualification.    The weakness in that degree of punishment - was the fact that they kept their cars and could continue driving regardless.

All that changed in New South Wales from July last.  The police have new powers to call for a tow truck and impound the vehicle of a serious driving offender, or they have the option of removing the number plates.

So far,123 vehicles have been sent to the car holding yard for a three month impoundment, and 513 sets of number plates have been seized.   Impounded cars are charged a hefty" holding fee " while they are in the police yard and this must be paid up-front before they will be released at the expiration.

Owners of cars with seized number plates are forced to comply with the registration procedure for any vehicle that first must be inspected and deemed legally roadworthy - and that can be very expensive.  It requires a detailed mechanical inspection, and any faults need correction before a certificate of compliance is issued.   That is time consuming - and in itself acts as a form of punishment.

Both these forms of punishment apply to those exceeding the speed limit by 45 kph or more, instigating a police pursuit by failing to stop when directed - or engaging in such " Hoon " behaviour as doing burnouts or illegal street racing.

The changed impetus from merely issuing a fine - to confiscating their means of transport - is starting to hit home.   A fine was previously regarded as a " nuisance " , but vehicle loss carries the matter to another dimension.   It introduces a " fear factor " that definitely changes driver behaviour.

This is a law change that seems likely to have a cumulative effect.   Seeing a mate suffer the agony that goes with losing a cherished car for a long period of time will certainly bring the issue home to many drivers prone to reckless driving.

Now it is a case of the penalty fitting the crime !