Drivers to lose licence on negative marks

Hyderabad: Motorists booked for violating traffic rules will be given negative points, according to a new plan. Transport department officials and the traffic police are working out modalities for introduction of a system whereby two negative points will be given for every rule violation. Whenever a motorist flouts rules, points would be added. When the points total up to 12, traffic cops will recommend suspension of the driving licence on the lines of a system being followed in the United States.

Right now, driving licences are being suspended only in cases pertaining to drunk driving, jumping signals, driving while talking on the cellphone, speeding and overloading. The driving licence is suspended only if a motorist is booked more than thrice for violating any one of the five provisions of MV Act. “In the points system, the violation of every rule will be counted including helmet rule, not wearing seat belt and flouting other provisions of the MV Act. A motorist could have been booked once for not wearing helmet and yet his or her licence can be suspended only if he has been booked for flouting other traffic rules on five occasions, as each violation is proposed to be given two points,” said a traffic police officer.

Telangana transport commissioner Sandeep Kumar Sultania said officials were drawing up a draft which would be sent to the government for approval. “For implementation of any rule, like the points system, the procedure is to give people a month to present their objections and suggestions and it will be done even in this case too,” he said. Parking violations are likely to be exempted from the points system due to lack of parking lots in the city. Recently, municipal administration minister K.T. Rama Rao had suggested that the points system be introduced and the Cabinet is likely to approve it, sources said.

DCP, Traffic, A.V. Ranganath said the list of traffic rule violations to be included for allotment of negative points is being finalised. “It may take three months for the system to be implemented. We are studying how the system is working in the US and what modifications should be done to suit our traffic needs,” he said.