Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) for Traffic Control and Road Safety, W. P. J. Senadeera, has explained the legal action to be taken against drivers who accumulate 30 demerit points under the newly introduced Demerit Points System, which is being implemented on a pilot basis.
Speaking on Ada Derana’s ‘Big Focus’ programme, the DIG said arrangements had been made to notify drivers via SMS when they approach the 30-point limit, informing them of the points deducted and the number of points remaining.
However, once a driver exceeds the 30-point threshold, an SMS notification will be sent informing them that their driving licence has been suspended. The driver is then required to hand over the licence to the police within seven days of receiving the notification.
The licences collected by the police will be forwarded to the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) along with a special form issued by the police.
According to the discussions currently underway, a driver who accumulates the maximum number of demerit points will generally face a one-year suspension of their driving licence.
The DIG further explained that failure to hand over the licence within the stipulated seven-day period would result in the suspension period being calculated from the date the licence is eventually handed over, thereby extending the effective period of the suspension.
However, drivers whose licences have been suspended may be able to reduce the suspension period from one year to three months by completing a training course approved by the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic.
The demerit points system applies to 47 traffic offences, with a maximum of seven points assigned to serious offences such as dangerous and reckless driving.
If a driver commits several offences at the same time, points will be deducted only for the offence carrying the highest penalty, the DIG said.
He added that the system had not previously been implemented due to the absence of a proper mechanism to administer it. Under the new system, only police officers holding ranks above that of a Police Sergeant will be authorised to enter demerit points into the system.
