Demerit point system for drivers to be introduced before March

The Europe-style new demerit points system for the driving licence will be introduced before March next year, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT)  Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe said today.

He said the demirit point system will help reduce road accidents. It has been pending for several years without being put into effect for unknown reasons.

He said the drivers would be demirited for 32 offences and added that if 24 such points were deducted for a certain driver, his/her driving licence would be suspended for one year.

He said ten points would be deducted for an offence of hit and run, eight points for speeding over 150 km per hour and six points for reckless driving.

If a driver has been penalised with 12 demirit points during the probationary period, he will be considered eligible to obtain the licence for a year, the commissioner general reiterated. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)