Beware! Repeat traffic violations could soon lead to license suspension: Details

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is preparing to introduce a points-based system to monitor driver behaviour. Much like the models already in place in countries such as the USA, Germany, and Canada, this system will assign points for every traffic offence. Moreover, accumulating too many of them could lead to a suspended or even cancelled driving licence.

The proposal was discussed during a recent brainstorming session on road safety, attended by government officials, NGOs, road safety experts, and other stakeholders. The ministry shared an early framework of the new system, which will not only penalise errant drivers with demerit points but also reward responsible road users with merit points. These will include good samaritans and those demonstrating safe driving behaviour.
Despite introducing steeper fines in 2019 under the amended Motor Vehicles Act, road fatalities have remained alarmingly high, with over 1.7 lakh deaths reported every year. Officials believe that a penalty points system, when backed by robust digital enforcement infrastructure, will serve as a more effective deterrent.

One of the significant proposals under this plan is to make driving tests mandatory for licence renewals if a motorist has a history of traffic violations. The ministry also intends to introduce learner’s licences for low-speed electric vehicles, specifically those under 1,500 watts and 25 kmph.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time such a system has been proposed. Back in 2011, an expert panel headed by former transport secretary S Sunder recommended licence suspension after 12 points were accumulated in three years, and cancellation for repeat offenders. However, the lack of infrastructure made nationwide implementation unfeasible at the time.