NSW Government Targets Illegal Demerit Points Trading
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Loading... - Jake Randy
- 19 Jul 2024
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The New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced the formation of a task force dedicated to cracking down on the illegal selling of demerit points on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, as well as other fraudulent activities related to the demerit points system.
The newly established Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce will focus on several key areas:
- Investigation of Fraudulent Activities: The task force will investigate "any gaming of the system," particularly the practice of nominating another driver to take demerit points for an offence.
- Review of Penalties and Suspensions: The task force will review the current penalties and suspensions to ensure they are sustainable and effective in maintaining road safety.
This move follows an investigation by 9news.com.au in 2022, which uncovered numerous listings for the sale of demerit points on Facebook Marketplace.
The task force will also target the small percentage (0.005%) of drivers who have accumulated 20 or more demerit points. The current system imposes the same five-month suspension for individuals with 13 points as it does for those with 20 or more points. The task force will consider additional measures to prevent the accumulation of such high demerit points.
Earlier this year, a notable case involved a French national who accrued over 200 demerit points while riding an electric scooter.
Roads Minister John Graham emphasized the importance of the demerit point system in improving road safety over the past five decades. He stated, "The demerit point system in NSW was designed more than 50 years ago and has been a key plank in improvements that have enhanced road safety over those five decades. The NSW Government has zero tolerance for anyone trying to subvert the system. There is one set of road rules and they apply equally to all."
The NSW Government's establishment of the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce represents a strong stance against the fraudulent manipulation of the demerit points system. By addressing illegal trading and reviewing the effectiveness of current penalties, the task force aims to uphold the integrity of road safety measures and ensure fair application of road rules across the state.
