DIP system: more discipline for road rule breakers

Irangika Range

According to the newly introduced Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS), over 7,000 drivers had lost points owing to negligence, driving under the influence of liquor and failure to avoid traffic accidents during the last four months.

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said the points system had been introduced with the intention of transforming reckless drivers into disciplined drivers.

These new laws have been enacted according to the Motor Traffic Act which came into effect from January 2013.

The DIPS should lead to more disciplined and road rules abiding drivers, as those who exceed 24 points within a span of two years, would have their licenses suspended for an year. The number of points deducted would depend on the severity of the offense committed," he said.

The Minister said that points were being deducted from over 100 driving licenses per day, due to drunk driving and failure to avoid traffic accidents. Accordingly, points of around 3,000 drivers were being deducted for such offenses each month.

He said that only two rules were being implemented initially from the list approved recently. 12 points were being deducted for drunk driving, while 12 points for a severe road accident.

The driving license had to be renewed once in two years and if the driver had received below 18 marks, it could be renewed easily with the permission of the Commissioner of Motor Traffic.

It has been proposed to commence the deduction of marks for other offenses from the month of July this year.

He said this was being implemented with the collaboration of the Police and Courts to discipline road users by imposing a driver improvement points system.

He said that under the scheme, once the offenders accept charges, the points would be added according to the nature of the offense committed.