Drivers Offering to be Scapegoats for Traffic Offences in S’pore for S$100 Per Demerit Point

By
Ashley Seek
-

Growing up, a lot of us were taught to take responsibility for our own mistakes.

If we forgot our homework, take the scolding as a reminder to be more mindful.

Or if we commit a traffic offence, demerit points should discourage us from being reckless.

But what if there was a way to pay your way out of a mistake you did?

Drivers Offering to be Scapegoats for Traffic Offences in S’pore for S$100 Per Demerit Point

And to top it off, have someone else take the blame for you?

While not ethical, such services are being carried out for the aforementioned traffic offences, CNA reported.

In fact, the news channel has found six of such services of people offering themselves as scapegoats for S$100 per demerit point.

And this isn’t like a new problem either, with it being brought up early on in the previous decade as well.

How These Scapegoats Operate

And if you’re wondering how these scapegoats operate, CNA actually managed to interview some of them.

They said both parties would link up to pay the traffic fines.

This can be done either online or at an AXS machine.

However, the seller would input their own license details and claim to be the offender instead.

Using the above price as an example, the real offender would then pay the fine and pay the seller S$100 for each demerit point incurred.

So basically, you pay a lot more just so your traffic record is spotless.

For the scapegoat, if they’re willing to risk potentially suspending their license, they could walk away with a fat load of cash.

As of this writing, those who garner up to 24 demerit points in 24 months will have their licenses suspended.

A seller told CNA that many had a license even without a car, and were quite willing to take the fall for even strangers.

However, some also didn’t go too far if it could lead to a potential court case.

Suggesting Future Preventive Measures

The reality of the situation is that it’s simply hard to check everyone, and many have gotten away with it.

Still, criminal lawyer Amolat Singh proposed some measures that might help.

He mentioned that CCTVs could be set up at transaction machines to identify people on camera.

Another was to have fines where demerit points are recorded to be paid only at the Neighbourhood Police Post.

The person would also have to sign and declare that all info was true and correct.

Mr Singh also said that punishment for those who profit from these illegal practices should be very serious, and laments how aggravating such actions can be.

“Already, within the context of helping a family member out of love and affection or out of desperation because the husband may need the licence to drive a taxi or Grab car, it’s bad enough.”

Carousell has also since attempted to remove many of such deals and offers from their website.

These scapegoats, if charged for false representation, could be jailed for up to a year, fined up to S$10,000 or both.

So while it may be tempting to earn a quick buck, please think twice. The reprehensions might not be worth it.

Featured Image: tommaso79/ Shutterstock.com

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Ashley Seek
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