The government is expecting to roll out a demerit points system for driving licences with six categories of offences.
According to The Sunday Times, State Minister for Transport, Lasantha Alagiyawanna says the licence will contain “24 points” under the demerit system.
In the event of an offence, the driving licence holder will be allocated demerit points for that particular offence and any other penalties that are applicable under the Motor Traffic Act.
Once an offending driver reaches 24 points, the licence will be suspended and it will have to be reapplied for, starting with the written exam and the trials.
Under the new system, the Police and all the Magistrate and District Courts will be provided with mobile phones to access the demerit system points, while the fine can be paid online on the spot, or at a post office.
If a driver were to be fined and points deducted for an offence, the individual can challenge it in court.
The offender will be fined and penalised by a court, in addition to the deduction of points.
If a driver loses only 2 points in a year, he will be given 2 points back the following year to restore the 24 points.
The Transportation Ministry intends to introduce the system, which has been in the making for more than a decade, next year.
State Minister for Transport, Lasantha Alagiyawanna has revealed that a Gazette notification will be issued in this regard after obtaining Cabinet approval this week. (NewsWire)
