Maryland and Virginia are cracking down on D.C. area HOV violators. Not deterred by the high fines, motorists will now incur points against their driver's licences. Now, I hate HOV violators as much as the next guy, but I must agree with Eric Peters when he says it makes a mockery of the driving record points system.

But how, exactly, is not having two or more people in your car a matter of pubic safety?

The logic behind the points system is that it provides an objective means of ranking drivers according to their propensity to drive safely -- or not. Various moving violations that enhance the risk of an accident -- for example, running a red light -- cause a certain number of demerit points to be assigned that driver's record. Accumulate too many points within a given period of time -- the limit is usually 12-15 or so within a calendar year -- and the DMV can suspend or revoke the offender's license. Insurance companies use the number of points on a driver's DMV record to adjust insurance rates -- up or down. The more points, the more you pay. Drivers with 12 points or more are often stuck in the so-called "SR-22" high-risk group that typically has to pay $2,000 or more annually for coverage. [...]

Handing out points just because you haven't got the mandatory number of bodies in your vehicle turns that concept on its head. The person may be a scofflaw. But it's got absolutely nothing to do with his driving. And yet, a multiple carpool lane violator could rack up a pile of points on his driver's record -- which to any insurance agent or DMV clerk would look much the same as the record of a habitual red light runner or DWI offender.