Dangerous drivers face extra surveillance under points system

The police and justice ministry officials are working on a system which would see traffic offenders being given points for dangerous driving – which will lead to persistent offenders coming under extra surveillance.

Motorists who have collected six points for using a mobile phone while driving or not wearing a seatbelt would come under the tougher regime, RTL Nieuws reported on Friday. No start date has yet been set.

The points will be awarded in addition to regular fines. The number of points will depend on the seriousness of the offences and speeding tickets recorded by camera will not be included.

The new system is being devised in an effort to tackle persistent offenders who do not change their behaviour despite being fined multiple times, RTL said. Last year, almost 30,000 people would have had at least six points if the new system had been in existence.

“Research shows that people who don’t stick to the rules are often responsible for accidents,” Achilles Damen from the public prosecution department told the broadcaster.

The privacy implications of monitoring specific individuals are still being assessed, RTL said.