DRIVER IMPROVEMENT POINTS SYSTEM BEGINS

Driver Improvement points System begins in November

No helmets- 4 marks
Driving while phoning- 4 marks
Running away after an accident- 10 marks

Drivers’ license will be cancelled when the total
comes to 24


According to the bill passed by an Act of the Parliament in March regarding driver’s license, it is reported that a Driver improvement point system will be established in Sri Lanka by the end of November.
Accordingly every mistake made by a driver will be noted and a point system will be established for each mistake. Then the points will be calculated and if the total comes to 24, drivers’ license will be automatically canceled. At the same time, driver’s license will have to be renewed once in every two years. If the mistake points are below 18, they will be able to renew the license easily.
Drivers who gain points between 18- 23 will be advised by the Commissioner and the others who gain points above 23 will have to undergo a suspension of their license for a period of an year.
If the drivers gain 6 points during the period of suspension, their suspension will be extended. If the points go above 6 during that period, the license will be cancelled and they will have to obtain a new license altogether.
The bill regarding this has been approved by the Parliament and the Commissioner of Motor Traffic Department says that the relevant computing of the data of vehicles and the points system is already been carried out in several districts including Hambanthota, Gampaha, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Werahara.
H.S Harischandra, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles Department states that:
“All the necessary arrangements had been made to start the Drivers Improvement Points System by the end of November. From the time of the Independence, Sri Lanka only had the ‘fine’ system against the drivers who commit errors on the road. They pay the fine and do the same mistake again. They have taken many lives due to their faults but when they go abroad, they adjust to those rules which are really strict.”
The following list contains the common faults committed by the drivers and the points that are to be given for them:
1.    Not attempting to avoid an accident- 6 marks
2.    fast driving in dangerous places- 8 marks
3.    Careless driving in Highways-8 marks
4.    Driving away after an accident-10 marks
5.    Not reporting an accident to the nearest police station-10 marks
6.    Fast driving neglecting the speed limits-6 marks
7.    Not driving on left-2 marks
8.    Overtaking when the road is not clear-6 marks
9.    Overtaking on the wrong side-4 marks
10.    Not giving way to the vehicles on the right-4 marks
11.    Following on the Highway without any reason-4 marks
12.    Ignoring Road Signs- 6 marks
13.    Ignoring police orders, signs or verbal statements- 6 marks
14.    Driving vehicles which haven’t passed the environmental friendly tests- 6 marks
15.    Driving vehicles which has loud noise than what is recommended-8 marks
16.    Tooting near prohibited places-6 marks
17.    using vehicles which are prone to hurt other vehicles, people or property-10 marks
18.    Not wearing seat belts-3 marks
19.    Over taking in junctions -4 marks
20.    Inability to stop vehicles near zebra crossings-6 marks
21.    Riding motor bikes without helmets-4 marks
22.    Driving while using mobile phones-4 marks