Here's an idea

We all read in shock the story of Rae Rae, who drunk heavily then drove. Then a police patrol tried to stop him so raced away at 180km/h before crashing into a tree, almost killing his girlfriend.

The girlfriend gets to spend the next two months in hospital, and we're all pleased that Rae has learnt is lesson. He won't drink and drive again ... with passengers. To do it by himself Obviously, the New Zealand Justice system doesn't install any fear.

But what really gets me is that we are paying for all the costs related to his stupidity. According to my calculations, an operation for two hours would have cost about $10,000 in surgeon, nurse, aneathatist and sundry theatre costs, plus $200 a day for a hospital stay, that's about $22,000. And it's all covered by ACC and it's 'no-fault' cover.

Instead of letting him off with a fine he can repay over the next 30 years, or three hours of community work, how bout we send him the bill - and make him pay it back like a finance company would, leaving him the bare minimum for living costs.

Then he wouldn't be able to afford a replacement car - or booze, or a girlfriend.

And then maybe we can start sending out invoices to all the other idiots who recklessly break the law and fill up the A&E Departments of New Zealand Hospitals.