Trial Of Points System For Drivers Suggested

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30061, 20 February 1963, Page 15

Trial Of Points System For Drivers Suggested

Most of the replies received from 20 American States on the effectiveness of the points system for traffic offenders are unable to give any factual information which would indicate the value of the system, although some of the States report that it is a powerful incentive for safe driving.

This information is included in a report of the motor drivers’ sub-Committee of the New Zealand Road Safety Council dealing with the points system for traffic offenders. The report will be considered at the next full meeting of the council in March.

At its meeting in June, 1962, . the council resolved that in the meantime it would not be justified in advocating adoption of the system but that further inquiries be made from American States, which have operated the system for some time, in an endeavour to

obtain factual information as to its effectiveness.

A report from Kentucky says that since the inception of the system the mileage death rate has decreased from 7.7 to 6.7. However, Rhode Island discontinued the system because there was no indication that it had any effect in reducing the accidents and violations of the traffic laws. The sub-committee’s report says that a check of departmental records in the Canterbury and Waikato districts indicates that quite a number of drivers are building up bad records, the worst being 33 convictions, including reckless driving and disqualified driving, in a period of three years. These two convictions were the last on record and resulted in a fine of £l2 10s and the cancellation of driver’s licence for a further year. On the drivers’ register for the Canterbury area there are some 300 drivers who have a record of six or more accident-promoting offences Approximately 70 of these have nine or more, says the report.

“The report from New Jersey would indicate that such a system may be of value. The council may feel that while the cost of a national scheme may not be justified until there is more certainty of its likely beneficial results there is justification for adopting a pilot scheme on a smaller regional basis tor a trial period.” the report says The sub-committee recommends that procedures along the lines of the points system be established in Canterbury and Waikato districts on a trial basis.