The government aims to pass a revision of the current Road Traffic Law that would see the introduction of a demerit point system for traffic violations.
Under the new system, motorists can lose up to a maximum of 12 points, said Transport Bureau (DSAT) chief, Lam Hin San, who introduced the proposal at a press conference held at Government Headquarters yesterday.
He noted that offenders who have had 6 points deducted would see their licence suspended for 3 months, while those who had lost all 12 points would not be permitted to drive for 6 months. After serving their suspension, drivers who have lost all their points will be eligible to regain their licence by passing a driving course and an exam.
“In the initial phase, the points system will cover two types of offences,” Lam stated. “First, refusal to obey the orders of law enforcement officers. [Second], disobeying traffic signs.”
When asked whether the points could be restored, the DSAT chief mentioned that motorists who have had 7 points deducted in a two year period would be able to regain 3 points if they pay to sit a theoretical exam out of their own pockets.
According to Lam, certain traffic violations such as not giving way to pedestrians, speeding and wrong-way driving would not come under the new demerit point system as there are already pre-existing laws that adequately punish such offences.
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In addition to introducing the points system, the update of the Road Traffic Law will impose more stringent regulations for motorists and pedestrians alike.
For example, drivers will be prohibited from using their mobiles and other multimedia devices when driving, while penalties will be dealt out to pedestrians who use their mobile phones when crossing the road.
Furthermore, the circumstances under which seatbelt use is mandatory have been expanded, with passengers in the backseat being required to wear them.
Non-motorised vehicles such as scooters, skateboards and electric wheelchairs will also be banned on public roads.
In total, about 20 out of the 269 regulations in the Road Traffic law have been revised.
