Guide to the Penalty Points System for driving offences

Penalty Points system has been recently introduced in Mauritius. What is it? It is an amendment in the Road Traffic Act. Objective: Make drivers safety conscious. Let's see in general what it's all about. Everything written here is a direct interpretation of THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL (No. XVIII of 2012).

Every driver has 0 points. As the driver commits offences regarding traffic, he accumulates points. If he has more than 15 points, i.e, starting from 16, the driver's license is cancelled for not more than 6 months. After that, he gets 0 points. If this happens twice, the driver's license will be indefinitely cancelled until the driver re takes the driving test.

I will put the points obtained when violating certain traffic regulations and some of the fines. Then comes the procedures by which a driver accumulates points or may revoke decisions.

1. Not wearing a prescribed helmet securely while riding a motorcycle or autocycle: 2-4 points - Rs 500 fine

2. Using hand-held microphone or telephone handset while you are driving: 2-4 points - Rs 1500 fine

3. Not complying with traffic sign or traffic lights or continuous white line: 2-4 points - Rs 2000 fine

4. Not wearing seat belt when driving: 2-4 points - Rs 500 fine

5. Exceeding speed limit by less than 25 km/h (example: speed limit is 40 km/h and you are driving at 65 km/h): 2-4 points

6. Not obeying or ignoring a traffic police officer: 2-4 points

7. Breach of lane discipline on a dual carriageway: 3-6 points - Rs 1000 fine

8. For people carrying goods, loads or anything on their vehicle; if it is not securely attached and may fall down: 3-6 points - Rs 500

9. Not having proper lights on during darkness hours (may be at night or cloudy weather): 3-6 points - Rs 500

10. Not giving priority to traffic coming from more important lanes, mainroad: 3-6 points

11. Exceeding speed limit by 25 km/h or more, but less than 50 km/h (example: speed limit is 40, you are driving at 89 km/h): 4-6 points - Rs 2000 fine

12. Overtaking or passing a vehicle which has stopped at a pedestrian crossing: 4-6 points - Rs 500

13. Blocking partially or fully the passage of pedestrian using the crossing: 4-6 points

14. Hit and run (i.e. not remaining at the scene of an accident when you are involved): 4-8 points

15. Exceeding speed limit by 50 km/h or more (example: speed limit is 40 km/h and you are driving at 80 km/h): 6-8 points

16. Killing someone by accident (involuntary homicide), wounds and blows: 8-10

17. Driving carelessly (example: run into the back of another vehicle): 8-10 points

18. Dangerous driving (example: driving at a speed or in a way that could harm other people): 8-10 points

##Important Rules##

Who allocates points? A Court Judge.

What if I exceed the 15 points? You will be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for all classes of motor vehicles for a period of not less than 6 months.

If you accept that you have committed a Road Traffic Offence (Payment of fixed Penalty (FPN - fixed penalty notice)):

• Within 21 days you must attend the District Court specified in the FPN
• Bring along with you these documents: FPN, original driving license, National Identity Card (NIC), money to pay the fine
• Finally the authorities will record your points

##Speed Cameras - Photographic Enforcement Device Notice##

If speed cameras caught your vehicle speeding? (It is called Photographic Enforcement Device Notice - PEDN)

• Withing 21 days you must pay appropriate fine issued
• You must accept in written form that you accept the Penalty Points allocated to you

If it was not you that was driving?

• You must fill in and sign Part B of the PEDN and return it to the licensing officer within 14 days as from the date of the issue of the PEDN

If you accept that you have committed a Road Traffic Offence (by the regulations of the PEDN):

• Within 21 days you must attend the District Court specified in the PEDN
• Bring along with you these documents: PEDN, original driving license, National Identity Card (NIC), money to pay the fine
• Finally the authorities will record your points

You may obtain the photographic evidence by writing an application to the Commissioner of Police within 14 days of the date of issue of the PEDN and on payment of the prescribed fee.

If you don't pay the fine in the PEDN within 21 days?

• You will be presumed to have been the driver of the vehicle
• You will pay twice the amount of the fine

If you give false or misleading information? It is an offence and you shall pay a fine not exceeding Rs 10,000 and be imprisoned for a maximum of time not excedding 3 months.

ALL THESE CAN BE AVOIDED BY JUST BEING SAFE ON THE ROAD. SAVE THE PUBLIC...SAVE YOUR FAMILY...SAVE YOURSELF. DRIVE CAREFULLY.