After many years of Government promises that Bermuda would implement a “points” system for driving offenses, today Dr. Brown announced “that the planning stage is complete and the Demerit Point System will take effect November 1.”
That’s great news! The idea has wide support from the general public and the Bermuda Road Safety Council. However, in line with my expectations of getting a free pony:
- Does the system take effect on November 1, or does the project just move from planning to some other infernal circle of governmental committee?
- Have the required legislative and regulatory changes been made to the Motor Car Act? Have the detailed workings of the scheme been shared with anyone? Seems odd not to have any details when November 1 is only five days away. Is this real, or just PR?
- Police Commissioner George Jackson said “the introduction of the points system would not require additional policing.” He’s wrong. The points system must be supported by more and better enforcement on the street. Drivers who ignore the traffic laws are just as likely to ignore the points system if there are not significant penalties for driving without a license, and insurance ramifications for having points on your license.