First phase of Demerit Point System reviewed

A MID-TRIAL review on the first phase of the Demerit Points System (DPS) was held yesterday attended by 70 officials from the Land Transport Department (JPD) and the Department of Investigation and Traffic Control (JSKLL) of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).Ministry of Communications Permanent Secretary Dato Paduka Hj Alaihuddin POKDG Hj Mohd Taha, as the Chairman of the National Road Safety Council in his remarks stressed on the importance of cooperation between authorities concerned to make the DPS implementation successful.

"It is important that the RBPF and JPD continue to work together in order for the DPS to be successfully implemented," he said.

He expressed hopes that a more "simplified template" of the DPS can be introduced during the next three months.

The review session featured four presentations conducted by the Acting Director of Transport Policy, Dr Hj Supry Hj Ladi and JPD Director Hj Khalid Hj Mustafa.

They covered various topics such as improving system processes and looks at resolutions for the next three months as well as looking back at issues that have been identified by the relevant authorities and the public during their roadshows.

The session also saw examples of the points system implemented by the Australian Capital Territory Roads Authority, Canberra, Australia, which was presented by Dr Hj Supry.

He told the participants to be open to certain practices such as the 'Good Behaviour Period' as an alternative to suspension of driving licence upon accrual of maximum points.

In such a case however, the driver would be given a small threshold for points accrued.

"However if the driver reaches that threshold, his licence would be suspended for double the initial suspension period. For example, a three-month would turn into a six-month suspension," he said.

The review also looked at finding and summarising system processes in order to produce a simplified method for the DPS.

This includes suggesting modifications made on the templates of the DPS, such as replacing the PDA's to tablets for a bigger screen, in a bid to make the system more user-friendly for enforcement authorities.

The later part of the review session saw participants suggest new names and acronyms for the DPS.

The DPS came into effect in early May as part of efforts to increase the level of road safety in the country. The Brunei Times