POINTS DEMERIT SYSTEM (Number of driving licences suspended)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for National Development and Communications how many driving licences had been suspended under the Road Traffic (Demerit Points) Rules, 1975, as at 28th February, 1977, and if he is satisfied with the implementation of the Rules.

The Senior Minister of State for Communications (Mr Ong Teng Cheong) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Points Demerit System was implemented on 1st March 1975 as a means to identify and remove careless, inconsiderate, reckless and dangerous drivers from the roads. Under this system, the driving licence of a driver will be suspended for a period up to a maximum of six months whenever he accumulates 12 demerit points or more within any period of 12 consecutive months.

Since the introduction of the Points Demerit System in March 1975, a total of 84 driving licences had been suspended under the Road Traffic (Demerit Points) 28th February, 1977. Of this number, 40 driving licences are still under suspension. In addition, 1,922 drivers had been issued with warning notices during this period.

Despite the implementation of the Points Demerit System and the various enforcement measures taken, the number of deaths caused by road accidents did not decline but remained at 288 in 1976. The number of accidents involving serious injury dropped by 8.8% from 2,674 in 1974 to 2,438 in 1975 but increased to 2,587 in 1976. To make the system more effective, the ROV and Traffic Police are presently studying the possibility of expanding the system to cover other traffic offences. The system will also be revised so that offences such as inconsiderate, careless and dangerous driving will carry more penalty points.