Points trial on licences system sees 20K drivers in penalties

A POINTS-BASED driver’s licence demerit system was officially rolled out nationwide on January 1 to minimise road accidents and boost the effectiveness of traffic law enforcement. This follows a fourmonth trial run in which 23,015 licences had points deducted for traffic offences.

In general, if a driver incurs 12 demerit points within a three-year period, their licence will be revoked and they will need to wait at least six months before retaking a driving test and proceeding through the application process for a new licence.

Fines and related penalties can be paid through TrueMoney or directly at road traffic police stations, according to the National Road Safety Committee (NRSC). Shortly before the trial run, the NRSC had told the public to carry their licences while driving, to ensure proper recordkeeping.

Ministry of Public Works and Transport spokesman Heang Sotheayuth could not be reached for comment on January 1.

But in a December 31 notice, the ministry said a total of 23,015 drivers’ licences have had points deducted since the demerit points system was put into practice on September 1 at some certain locations in the trial phase

It reiterated calls for the public to respect road traffic laws and demonstrate consideration for each other on the roads to ensure everyone’s safety.

On December 26, Prime Minister Hun Sen made a similar call, reflecting on the sudden, tragic and far-reaching impact that road accidents may have.

“Respect the traffic law – don’t fear the traffic police, rather, be afraid of injury or death.”