Points-Based License: Infractions and Enhanced Sanctions
Points-Based License: Infractions and Enhanced Sanctions
The points-based license system is being reintroduced. This system aims to deter dangerous behaviors on the roads, impose stricter penalties for infractions, and provide opportunities for offenders to rehabilitate.
The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill will be presented for its first reading in the Mauritian Parliament on Tuesday, December 2. This bill marks the return of a system that proved effective between 2012 and 2015: the points-based license. Aimed at "instilling a culture of more responsible driving," according to the project’s language, it will replace the current cumulative infraction system and will apply to all drivers, whether they hold a provisional, standard, or international license.
The mechanism is based on strict limits: a maximum of 10 points over 36 months for provisional license holders and 15 for standard or international licenses. Each point remains active for this three-year period, which will serve as the basis for calculating the total balance. In the event of a conviction, the court will require the presentation of a Penalty Points Certificate, and points will be added to other sanctions, whether fines or imprisonment.
The scale provides differentiated sanctions based on the severity of infractions (see table). When multiple infractions occur simultaneously, only the highest number of points, corresponding to the most serious infraction, will be retained. Exceeding the limit results in automatic disqualification, with durations varying by situation: 6 to 12 months for standard or international license holders, cancellation of the license for novice drivers with a prohibition on obtaining a new one during the same period, and a ban on obtaining a license for 12 to 24 months for those without one. In all cases, rehabilitation training will be mandatory before recovering or obtaining a license.
For repeat offenders, sanctions become harsher: if a second disqualification occurs within 36 months of the first, the court may impose a permanent cancellation.
However, this strictness is tempered by the introduction of a "points redemption" mechanism, reserved for holders of a standard or international license. A driver who has accumulated between 10 and 14 points may request the court to redeem up to three points, provided they have completed an approved rehabilitation course. Beyond 15 points, no redemption is possible, and any new request is subject to a 36-month waiting period.
The punitive aspect of the project does not stop at points. Financial penalties have been significantly increased. For the most serious infractions – dangerous driving or driving under the influence causing serious bodily harm or death – fines will rise from Rs 75,000 to Rs 100,000 to a range of Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000. A new offense is created: failing to return a license within five days can now incur fines from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000, along with a penalty of up to 12 months in prison.
A Comprehensive Approach to Road Safety
The reintroduction of the points system is based on compelling statistical evidence. Between 2010 and 2012, before its implementation, fatal accidents remained high: 158 deaths in 2010, 152 in 2011, and 156 in 2012. The year following its implementation in July 2012 saw the number of victims drop to 136 in 2013, then 137 in 2014 and 139 in 2015. The replacement of this system with a cumulative system in July 2015, according to authorities, "weakened the fear factor that helped prevent dangerous behaviors," leading to a deterioration in road safety.
The project is part of a broader approach to road safety. It is accompanied by a Graduated Licensing Scheme, aimed at progressively guiding drivers from the learning stage. Infrastructure will also be subject to targeted improvements: better-lit pedestrian crossings, more visible markings, protective barriers, and the creation of reduced speed zones at 30 or 40 km/h.
Road safety inspections covering approximately 150 kilometers of highways and category A and B roads are planned to identify and correct risks: upgrading signage, markings, or installing protective devices. Addressing 11 black spots – areas with a high concentration of accidents – is also on the agenda, requiring targeted interventions to reduce danger. Finally, safety audits will be systematically conducted for new road projects to ensure safer infrastructure from the design phase.