Stupid RTA - Speeding

One of my bug bears for a long time has been the introduction of double demerit points and the loss of 3 points off your NSW licence for speeding offences of 1-15kms over the speed limit.

When I started driving only about 17 years ago, drivers had 12 points on their licence and got points back after 2 years. In real terms, a driver on average could have 6 minor speeding offences a year before they were deemed to dangerous to be allowed on the roads.

Since then, they changed the time before points are returned from 2 years to 3 years. They have also moved the offence from 1 point to 3 points. On top of this, they have introduced "double demerit points" for holidays periods.

17 years ago, you could have an offense every 2 months before your life is totally disrupted (potential loss of job, additional hardship etc). Now, it can be as little as every 18 months, if your offenses are during double demerit points. All it takes is 5kms over the limit twice on holidays, and tear up that perfect driving record.... no licence for you.

What we are seeing now, is that ordinary Mums and Dads are now losing their right to drive over what traditionally has been a minor driving infraction. Just recently there were articles in the newspaper that the NSW RTA is revisiting the 3 point penalty.

All this bears an interesting question. Who got it wrong, and did they lose their job over it. Either way you look at it, the penalty for minor speeding has increase by up to a whopping 9 times. So, did they get it wrong 17 years ago, or have they got it wrong now? Someone had to have gotten it wrong, and are they still working at the RTA? Or was it NSW government intervention that was responsible? Are they still employed? On their government pension?

Lets look at the other side of the coin. Driving is dangerous, so why stop there. If 9 times the penalty is not enough (people are still dying on the roads), why not make jail mandatory for any offence? Hell, why stop there, why not bring back the death penalty. If everyone who speed, was executed, we would have dramatically reduce the road toll. Even if it was for the fact nobody was left to drive on the roads.

But would that make the statistics look great!!! As they say..... Lies, lies and damn statistics.