Arrangements have been made to notify drivers by SMS of the points deducted and their remaining balance as they approach the 30-point demerit threshold under a pilot project, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety W.P.J. Senadheera said.
He said drivers would receive an SMS notifying them that their driving licence had been suspended immediately after exceeding the 30-point limit. They would then be required to surrender their licence to the police within seven days.
If a driver failed to surrender the licence within that period, the suspension would be calculated from the date it was handed over, effectively extending the period without a valid licence. Police would forward surrendered licences to the Department of Motor Traffic, together with a special police form.
According to the arrangements currently under discussion, drivers reaching the demerit threshold would generally face a one-year licence suspension. However, those who completed a training course approved by the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic could have the suspension reduced to three months.
The points system would apply to 47 traffic offences. Serious offences, including dangerous and careless driving, would carry a maximum of seven demerit points. If a driver committed several offences at the same time, only the points applicable to the offence carrying the highest penalty would be deducted.
