Selling demerit points - an illegal way to get a speed camera ticket
“I will accept penalty points – even 18,” Black Pearl announces online. “Price for one PLN 200, negotiable. Woman, semi-long hair, black, slender."
Similar entries, both for buying and selling demerit points for speeding on the roads, can be found on many Internet forums.
See also: New speed cameras - how many will there be in your area? Here is their list
Points trading is booming because you know that collecting 25 points means you keep your driver's license. Young drivers, i.e. those who have not yet had a year after the exam, it is even worse. It is enough for them to score 21 points. Otherwise, the procedure is expensive and cumbersome - the entire driving course and exam from the very beginning.
Known for a long time
– The problem of trade in penalty points has been known for a long time. It was brought to the attention of the chief motor transport inspector at meetings of parliamentary committees, - explains Elvin Gajadur, press secretary of the Road Transport Inspectorate. “So it can’t just be related to our service.
See also: Ticket, photo from speed camera - is it possible and how to appeal
The problem is that the inspectorate does not verify the identities of speeding drivers whose photos were taken by speed cameras. And it was the ITD who took the cameras from the police on 1 July 2011 and punishes them for their offences.
The owner of a vehicle exceeding the speed limit receives a form from ITD, which must be sent to Warsaw after completion.
Read also: Speed cameras in Poland – new rules and 300 more devices
The basis for verifying the information provided by him may be a photograph taken automatically by a speed camera. This is done, for example, by municipal and city security guards. “We do not send photos to those who are interested,” Gajadhur continues. - First of all, because of the protection of personal data.
However, it is known that some of the photos are not of the best quality. Some are also made from behind (especially for motorcyclists), and then at best you can see the driver's back and, of course, the license plate.
What matters is what you write
As the spokesman explains, the basis for punishment is the data contained in the form. The vehicle owner can choose one of three response options:
pleads guilty and accepts a fine;
- indicates another person familiar to him who drove the vehicle;
- does not remember who was driving his car on a given day. However, he takes the blame. In this case, he receives only a ticket, but no penalty points are credited to his account.
The information contained in the form must be true - as the ITD reminds you, under the threat of criminal punishment (confirmation of falsehood can lead to imprisonment for up to 5 years). In turn, the false accusation of another person that she was driving a vehicle faces up to two years in prison. By refusing to provide the driver's details, the owner of the car or motorcycle exposes himself to a fine of up to PLN 5 per order. The case is being heard by the district court.
Cop saw
“Before, when stationary speed cameras were operated by the police, the owner of the vehicle was called to the appropriate police station, where the so-called ticket procedure was carried out,” explains the young inspector. Wieslaw Riduch, head of the traffic department of the Main Directorate of the Provincial Police in Bydgoszcz. - The officer then had the opportunity to compare the photo from the speed camera with the person who appeared. So there was no doubt about who should be punished.
Up to PLN 1000
Now the police continue to detain those who exceed the speed limit. However, they are punished on the spot with a credit mandate. Refusal to accept the case is connected with sending the case to court. The police can punish at a time with a larger fine than the FTD. This happens when the passage is recorded on the DVR by a police car following the pirate. The amount of the fine for offenses can be up to PLN 1000.
Marek Weckvert
