Hi John,
I can't agree with you more. Too many individuals offer this service, and no matter how cheap they may seem, what price is your life worth?
Should the Guardia stop the car you are in and ask the driver if he is carrying fare-paying passengers and he replies NO, if they suspect that this is not true, then they will ask you to accompany them to the station for further questioning. Not a terribly good way to start or end a holiday.
At the moment, the Guardia are stopping numerous cars and requesting that the boot is opened, and should their be suitcases......then questions will be asked!
The insurance companies are also clamping down on individuals who offer this service without the relevant insurance. Should they make a claim for damage to their vehicle and if a person other than the driver is in the car when it is in a collision, they DO contact the passenger directly, and ask them a series of leading questions in order to ascertain if there is any doubt as to whether they were paying a fee for the journey.
As individuals we have a choice, hopefully, people will realise the need to make the correct decision, and travel safely and legally!