KOCHI: Starting next year, it won’t be all smooth sailing for those receiving their driver’s licence.
The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) is set to introduce — maybe as early as next April — a ‘two-year’ probation period for fresh licence holders as it looks to cut down on road accidents. During the period, the drivers will receive negative points if they get caught for driving-related offences. If they get caught multiple times, they will have to start the entire process all over.
The points-based system is being introduced on the basis of a recent in-house study, which said 70% of road accidents in Kerala take place during the first three years of a person getting their licence. The move is inspired by a similar practice in the UK, where the accident rate is much lower, with a road mortality rate of below three deaths per 1,00,000 inhabitants.
“The probation system is part of a series of sweeping changes that will be introduced in the next few months to reduce accidents. New licence holders will be assessed through a points-based system,” Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam IPS told TNIE.
For instance, said the IPS officer, a fresh licence holder will be awarded two negative points (-2) if they are caught for a traffic offence, say jumping the signal or failing to put on a seat belt.
“Their licence will be revoked when they accumulate six negative points (-6). They will have to go through the whole process again, starting with learner’s licence,” he said. This would be in addition to the drivers being fined for the offences. The negative points awarded may be higher depending on the gravity of the offence.
In the case of learner’s licence, new licencees will have to label their vehicles ‘P-1’ (probation - first year) and ‘P-2’ (probation - second year) during the first and second year of the probation period. “This is to warn other drivers that the driver is in probation period, and hence, they should be careful,” Nagaraju said.
The licencees will get six points upon completing a year without any accidents or committing any traffic offence, he said, adding, “Once they accumulate 12 points, they will receive their driving licence. We will introduce the change in the next three months.”
Driving tests more airtight now, people learning properly: Transport commissioner
The move aims to reduce the increasing rate of accidents, especially those caused by rash and reckless driving by youths. In the recent fatal bus-car collision in Alappuzha that claimed the lives of six medical students, the youth who was behind the wheels of the rented car had received his licence only four months back.
“We are studying the systems in place in various countries with the intention of implementing the best practices. However, their road conditions are far better than ours, which actually puts additional onus on our drivers to drive more safely. We have already made the driving licence tests more airtight. People are learning properly now. The pass percentage has come down to 40 to 50,” Nagaraju pointed out.
Present practice
Currently, repeat offences are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. “For simple offenses like use of mobile phones (hand-held devices) while driving , the MVD could take action like levying a penalty. In the case of more serious traffic offences, the MVD would act on the basis of a police report.
Usually, the licence is suspended and the offender is required to attend a week-long road safety class (in Ernakulam). However, the licence is fully cancelled in major offences that caused loss of lives. These are besides the court action in all such cases,” said a senior MVD official.