Taxi boss backs demerit system ... but calls for review of minor offences

Amid growing concerns that motorists, including public transport operators, could lose their licences because of accumulated demerit points, St James Taxi Association President Dion Chance says he supports the introduction of the new system but believes some adjustments are necessary.

The demerit point system, established under the Road Traffic Act 2018 and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2022, is scheduled to take effect on October 1 and will see motorists accumulate points for various traffic breaches. Drivers who exceed the prescribed threshold could face licence suspension and other penalties.

While backing the overall objective of the initiative, Chance believes some offences included under the system are too minor to warrant demerit points and should be reviewed.

“I think that some of the offences should not really draw demerit points and they should be reviewed. A seat belt ticket should never ever get a demerit point,” he said.

Under the new system, driving a motor vehicle without wearing a seat belt attracts two demerit points. Similarly, motorists can receive two demerit points for operating a vehicle with brake lights, parking lamps, reflectors or rear licence plate lights that are not in proper working order.

Chance argued that such breaches should not carry penalties that could eventually contribute to a driver losing his or her licence.

“If you have one blown taillight, they pull you over; that don’t need no demerit points, because you can leave your yard and it was OK. These things can happen; it’s electronic,” he said.

For the taxi association president, demerit points should be focused on offences where motorists deliberately engage in reckless behaviour that puts other road users in danger.

“A person deliberately, in their action, endanger other people, like careless driving, reckless driving, DUI, overtaking at an unbroken line, overtaking a line of traffic and stuff like that — those are things that should carry demerit points. But other things that are unavoidable can be without demerit,” Chance said.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has maintained that the system is designed to encourage safer driving habits and greater compliance with traffic laws.

“It is not intended as a punitive measure but as a road-safety tool that encourages responsible driving and helps reduce dangerous behaviour on our roads,” the minister pointed out.

However, since the announcement of the system’s implementation, there has been significant concern among some public transport operators, with some arguing that the accumulation of points could threaten their ability to earn a living.

But Chance believes those concerns should not overshadow the purpose of the initiative, arguing that the system is not targeting taxi operators, but is aimed at improving road safety for everyone.

“Driving out there, some of the things we see leaves one to think, and it’s unfortunate that taxi operators are acting as if it is personal to them,” he said.

“It is for every user of the road. All we have to do is stop, look at what we are doing, and drive within the law,” he told THE STAR.