Penalty Points: "We Need Strong Medicine for Road Safety," Says PM

During the work, the Prime Minister (PM), Navin Ramgoolam has argued that the Point Penalty System is a major step forward in the fight against the growing number of road accidents.

"Offenders will not be unpunished." This was hammered Prime Minister Tuesday, July 17 at the parliamentary session marked by the presentation at second reading of the amendment to the Road Traffic Act calling for the introduction of Penalty Point System. The provisions of this new legislation provides that penalty points will be done according to the offenses for non-compliance with traffic laws.

The legislation was introduced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Infrastructure, Anil Bachoo, and was later commented by Navin Ramgoolam. The Prime Minister believes that the introduction of penalty points coincides with the government's desire to reduce the number of road accidents.

From the outset, the Prime Minister argued that road safety is a complex issue. "It takes a drastic remedy," should he run. He also recalled that the drivers, themselves, are primarily responsible in case of traffic accident.

Under the new law, a driver must possess two documents: driver's license and a "paper counterpart" includes all penalty points. Reacting after protests from professional drivers, Navin Ramgoolam is categorical and argues that all offenders, without exception, will be penalized.

Minister Anil Bachoo, who introduced the legislation, noted that the permit has a lifespan of 36 months, after which the total points lost are returned to the driver. The decision to suspend a license back to court.

At the end of the work, the Prime Minister has requested an adjournment for a special session of the Assembly, Friday, July 20th at 15:30.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Kailash Purryag left the chamber to thunderous applause.