Bad drivers to lose licences

TOUGH new measures to combat reckless driving could result in large numbers of drivers losing their licences by the end of the year, provincial Minister of Transport, Bheki Cele, warned on Thursday.

Plans to implement the traffic demerit system which is going to "revolutionise" driving in the province are under way. It is expected to be operational by mid-year.

Speaking at a press briefing in Durban, Cele said: "We will be introducing this new points system very soon and I am very excited about it.

"I have been more than impressed with the way in which it has been working in some countries."

"I'm sure that by the end of this year half of our drivers are likely to have their licences suspended," said Cele.

The implementation of this new system is just one of the tools which the department is hoping will help to curb road accidents and deaths as well as to ensure that people drive cautiously.

Cele, during his festive season report, also said that having visited countries like Australia, he had come to the realisation that South Africa's road laws are far "too soft".

"The National Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe, feels very strongly about this and we are trying to change our laws," he said.

He gave the example of people who are found to be responsible for killing others on the roads. He said they should not be charged with culpable homicide, but with murder.

Differently

"Killing someone on the roads is like pulling a trigger, so the cases should not be treated differently," he said.

The department is also planning to reintroduce roadside courts which have in the past assisted in prosecuting motorists speedily.

"I have spoken to the minister of justice and we are working on bringing back these courts," said Radebe.

The transport department's decision to implement the point system in the country has been supported by local organisations.

The South Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD) organisation has also welcomed the new demerit system.

Gary Ronald, spokesperson for the Automobile Association reportedly said that they have been waiting for the system for a very long time.

Ronald said the system worked well in other countries, but corruption could be an obstacle to its successful implementation.

This is how the point system will work.

Every driver will be given 12 points every year.

But drivers can lose points for some of the following actions: speeding, not carrying a driver's licence, losing a licence, not wearing a seat belt, car lights not working, drinking and driving, running over a pedestrian, not stopping at a stop sign or using a cellphone while driving.

If drivers lose 12 points in a year, they will have their licences suspended for a year; and worse, after receiving three suspensions from the traffic department, the licence will be cancelled.

The bright side of the demerit process is that if in a year drivers do not receive any suspensions, they will be given an additional 12 points the next year, plus a bonus point.


How the system will be rated

If a motorist is found with an unregistered vehicle, two demerit points will be taken away and a fine of R500 will be imposed.

Driving without a licence will cost a driver two demerit points and a fine of R500.

If caught not wearing a seat belt, drivers will get one demerit and pay a R250 fine.

Traffic violations including not stopping at a stop sign, not stopping at a traffic light and overloading will cost drivers three demerit points for each violation.

Overloading will also result in a fine of R1 250.

Speedsters will find themselves losing points and getting hefty fines depending on the speed at which they were caught driving.

There is a sliding scale of points and fines for those driving from 20km per hour over the speed limit to 60km per hour.

For going 20km an hour faster than the speed limit, the fine will be R250 and no demerit points, while those travelling at 60km an hour faster than the speed limit will attract a fine of R1 250 and three demerit points.

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