[TusharK]

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is planning to introduce a penalty points system for traffic violations similar to several other countries. Points will be awarded for each traffic offense, and the driving license can be suspended or cancelled once the points cross a certain threshold.



The government recently held a brainstorming session on road safety that was attended by state government representatives, experts, NGOs, and other stakeholders. During the session, the ministry shared a framework for the implementation of the proposal.

According to a government official, the new points system will include both demerit and merit points, with the latter being awarded for good driving behaviour and to good Samaritans.

The government also plans to make driving tests mandatory for those seeking to renew their driving license if they have violated traffic rules. A learner’s license for low-speed EVs could also be introduced as part of the next amendment.

Source: ET Auto

Link to Team-BHP News

[fhdowntheline]

I think we need to bring some control on
1) the road infrastructure in cities
2) vehicles sold
3) town planning - last one because the propensity to use vehicles is commensurate with how the residential/ commercial businesses are planned and sanctioned.
Then we can think of a points based system.

[Axe77]

So much ground to cover before they implement something like this. For it to be accurate, is HAS TO have the ability to tag the correct driver to start with. I'm not even getting into aspects like the banana republic state of our speed limits and corresponding signs.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by TusharK

....to introduce a penalty points system for traffic violations similar to several other countries....

Don't want to go down, "Let them give us good roads before having strict rules" slippery slope.

But for bare minimum root cause analysis, start with the DL issuing system as well as training. Sheer majority of habitual offenders and law breakers drive vehicles that may not have legit number plates or haven't done ownership transfer or the vehicles will be in the name of some others.

Also given the conditions in India, identifying the driver will be a problem and easier to send the fine to the owner of the vehicle.

[Raghu2284]

The government's approach seems to be top down, where despite the significant tax revenue generated from vehicle sales, the infrastructure remains subpar. Fundamental issues need to be addressed, such as improving the quality of roads and streamlining the process for issuing driver's licenses. It's essential that the basics are corrected to ensure a better driving experience and overall transportation system.

[RM Motorsports]

Just wondering how many Indians driving / riding on indian roads do actually have a valid driving license?

Do such people care about penalty points??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29rvcGdGSJo&t=4s

[deehunk]

Originally Posted by Axe77

So much ground to cover before they implement something like this. For it to be accurate, is HAS TO have the ability to tag the correct driver to start with. I'm not even getting into aspects like the banana republic state of our speed limits and corresponding signs.

Exactly, otherwise this will be like a son driving a father's vehicle or a wife driving a husband's vehicle and a penalty imposed on the vehicle owner. The leniency shown by traffic police should be first tightened; else, many two-wheeler drivers in a metro city will start setting records for maximum violation points within a day!

[self_driven]

Originally Posted by deehunk

Exactly, otherwise this will be like a son driving a father's vehicle or a wife driving a husband's vehicle and a penalty imposed on the vehicle owner.

On the brighter side on things, at least vehicle owners will become wary of handing over their keys to others if the demerits can be linked to the owner's license in cases such as speeding where violators are not caught on the spot.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by RM Motorsports

Just wondering how many Indians driving / riding on indian roads do actually have a valid driving license?

Do such people care about penalty points??

Spot on! This targets that section of drivers who actually care about having a valid license and for whom it matters. The majority don't. I've heard from several auto drivers that the cops can't do anything to them because of their union/political connections. State government buses also are protected. The majority of commercial vehicles ply without papers, so what difference does this measure make to them?

What our cities need is strict manual enforcement in addition to these automated measures, which are certainly the right way to go for the future.

But for some years, empowered squads of cops, with a senior traffic cop heading them should enforce rules mercilessly. Enforce no parking/stopping on main roads very strictly, penalize wrong side driving/riding on footpaths. Very strictly penalize signal jumping. Just the way they enforce penalties for drunken driving now. The offender, whether in a Merc or an e-bike, and especially if it is a commercial vehicle that is always on the road, should lose the vehicle for a couple of days and have to run around to get it back.

Do that for a few years strictly, without exceptions, and see the difference!

[after]

I'm reading this post seated at a bus stop, watching a stream of two wheelers pass me by on the footpath. Across the road, an auto is going the wrong way. Two traffic police officers are scrolling on their phones and chatting while seated in the shade, blissfully unaware of what's going on around them.

Nothing is going to change in the foreseeable future.

[GeeTee TSI]

I think a more pragmatic start will be to issue penalty points to traffic police who do not penalise blatant traffic violations.

[king999]

I actually think this isn't a bad idea. I get some of the challenges mentioned above, for sure implementation will have to be thought through. But where I'm hoping this will make a difference is a reduction in the short sighted nature of cops standing on corners to collect "hafta". With a points system repeat offenders will have more to worry about IMO rather than regular rule-followers. At least that's what my optimistic mind thinks.

[Babu R]

As an idea it appears fine, but as others have expressed there are lot of preceding steps to this. One initiative that the Chennai Traffic Police started around a couple of years back was to install cameras at every junction and monitor line violations. The traffic police would stand with a phone to capture the violators whether it is line violation or otherwise. The violators at the line were captured by cameras installed and a challan issued in about an hour. This practice was there for about 2 months or so. I found that it was very effective as people who crossed the line started coming within the line to avoid infraction. This actually altered the behaviour of motorists, auto drivers and 4W drivers. Surprising but effective. It was nice to see people standing before the stop line and exercising restraint. The fine was Rs 500 per infraction. But for some reason it was dropped and the people's behaviour is back to what they were earlier. I think our population, largely, just like every other country, would definitely fall in place. to comply with the requirements as long as enforcement is followed to the tee.

[somersault]

A simple change is required. Police needs to have prompt actions of fining the wrong doers and that too with hefty fines on the spot or with the address follow up. As of today, absolutely nobody cares for traffic police directions. People jump signals in front of them. People drive past the stopping police and the poor policeman is helpless. Immediate and prompt recovery of fines alone, either on the spot or from the home will have a deterrence on vehicle drivers.

I remember few years back in Mumbai, for couple of months, when the fines were increased and the police were strict on fines, all vehicles in Mumbai used to wait behind the Zebra crossings as needed by the rules. Then there was some hue and cry from the public about fines, specially for helmets in Pune city and Maharashtra government panicked and rolled back.

I am ok for increase in the bribe by police (if any). But then people will be extra cautious to not jump any traffic rule.

[NPV]

When will we stop mulling, discussing, debating, considering, etc etc and start putting things in action? We need better roads, strict enforcement of traffic rules, stop encroachments on public roads, have a strict driving license process and much more. Instead of focusing on what really needs to be done right NOW, we are more interested in making big statements that media can pick up and project. Even God can’t save us!

The whole penalty points system is for the developed countries with a mature driving license system, I just don’t see how that can work in our country.

Heck, in Bangalore I hardly see traffic cops and life is as normal as it gets - several motorists roam scot free without helmets, many wearing construction hats, sports hats/caps and the like, riding/driving on the wrong side, stopping randomly wherever they please! Spoke to a cop recently and he tells me they have smart/AI cameras tracking everything and all is good, fines are automated. Welcome to the world of AI, this really is the bright future that we’ve always been dreaming of.