Tough new fines for NSW company cars
February 19, 2012



The NSW government is introducing a new penalty regime to make companies and people who drive company cars more accountable for traffic offences.

The laws will close a loophole that has allowed people in company cars to dodge demerit points, Roads Minister Duncan Gay says.   :-?

The so-called "Markson" loophole meant that people who were caught for traffic offences while driving company cars could get away with a fine only, and no loss of points, if the company was unable to say who was driving the car at the time.


Under the laws, to be introduced into state parliament this week, companies can be hit with fines of up to $16,500 if they fail to name the driver of a car caught by a speed camera.

"The NSW government is putting companies on notice that if they do the wrong thing and fail to nominate a driver they will face increased fines," Mr Gay said in a statement on Sunday.

"If companies do the right thing and nominate the offending driver, they will avoid facing these additional measures."

Fines will also be increased for penalty notices in a company name and companies will be fined five times the amount an individual would pay for camera offences.   :o

Court fees will also be five times higher for companies if a traffic matter goes to court.   :o

The Markson loophole was named after PR agent Max Markson failed to nominate the driver of his car for speeding offences in 2010, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

© 2012 AAP

Oh well, its a liberal government, is it not so?.   The friend of the businesses.   ;D

wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 12:02pm:

Oh well, its a liberal government, is it not so?.   The friend of the businesses.   ;D

Talking to your self  STUPID   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

It's the same in Queensland I think.

A girl I know drives a car that belongs to her dad's company (she is a nominal director) and whilst she has had to pay the fines - she has never picked up demerit points.

It's just a loophole thats always been there I guess.

Yes and it looks like the liberals in NSW, have just close the loophole.   :)

Yet another small step on the way to the totalitarian Police-State.

NSW is well on the way...:-(

Kat wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 1:33pm:

Yet another small step on the way to the totalitarian Police-State. NSW is well on the way...:-(

thats a bit harsh. all it was doing was closing a loophole. if you want to complaine then do so about speeding fines and demerits themselves - not loopholes.

FRED. wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 12:04pm:

wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 12:02pm: Oh well, its a liberal government, is it not so?.   The friend of the businesses.   ;D Talking to your self  STUPID   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

says he who laughs at his own comments :D LOL

This wouldnt of been a loophole if we had presumption of innocence.

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on Feb 20^th, 2012 at 6:59am:

This wouldnt of been a loophole if we had presumption of innocence.

A loophole is a weakness in a legal system which can be used to avoid the intent of the system without technically breaking it.  I don't see how the presumption of innocence or guilt can be relevant to the existence of a loophole.

Sounds fair and reasonable to me.  Why shouldnt the person responsible be held to the same standard.

Bring it on I say.  I didnt even know this existed!

You should be patting the Liberals on the back for it imcrook, not whinging and having a cry about it.