Demerit point system proposed for bad drivers

Cayman is moving to introduce a demerit system to penalise bad drivers based on the number of points they have accumulated for traffic offences, which could lead to the revocation or suspension of a driver’s licence.

The proposed system is among a number of Traffic Act amendments meant to improve road safety.

The proposed amendments, which were gazetted on Friday, 20 Sept., have defined the “demerit points system” as a penalty system under which a driver’s licence is revoked or suspended based on the number of demerit points the person has accumulated over a specific period of time.

The details of the actual point system are not contained in the proposed amendments.

It has instead proposed that Cabinet “may make” the regulations to provide for the demerit points system for offences under the Traffic Act.

Focus on road safety

In May, Eric Bush, chairman of the National Road Safety Committee and chief officer in the transport ministry, spoke with the Cayman Compass about planned road safety proposals from the ministry, including the demerit points system.

He said at the time that the changes were necessary due to the rising number of collisions and road deaths on the island.

The demerit-based system, he said, would track a variety of offences; in particular, impaired driving, being distracted by a handheld device, and excessive speeding.

It would have potential punitive measures, including monetary fines, restricted driving, losing the ability to get car insurance, and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the incident.

In places like the United Kingdom and the United States, demerit points systems have helped to deal with errant drivers.

Under the UK system, a driver can be disqualified from driving if he or she builds up 12 or more penalty points within three years.

Each traffic offence under the UK system is ascribed a specific point and each offence point is logged against a driver’s record and tabulated.

The proposed law changes to Cayman’s Traffic Act also seek to implement vehicle safety standards, as well as to restrict using or holding mobile telephones and other hand-held devices while driving. The wording in the current legislation mentioned just the “use” of such devices, while the new version is expanded to include the holding of devices.

The changes would also increase ticket-worthy offences for the improper display of registration plates and improper use of certain types of compression brakes that create noise pollution, like those found on dump trucks known colloquially as “Jake brakes”.

The amendments are also seeking to increase the period for licensing of new vehicles from three years to five years.

Driver’s licence changes

The amendments would allow for the spouse, parent, legal guardian or adult child of a disabled individual to register and license one vehicle free of fee charges on behalf of the disabled person.

Another proposal would increase the time period a visitor or new resident can drive here using their home country’s permit or an international driver’s permit. At present, drivers can use these permits for six months before having to get a Cayman Islands driver’s licence. Under the proposed changes, that will move to 12 months.

In July, Cayman’s legislators unanimously voted for government to consider reducing speed limits and increasing traffic fines in a bid to curb rising road fatalities and daily collisions.

The vote was brought by government backbencher McKeeva Bush, West Bay West MP, as a private member’s motion in Parliament.

However, the proposed amendments gazetted this month do not include changes to the speed limits.

The law changes do restrict the importation and use of certain vehicles, including beach buggies or dune buggies, double decker public buses and vehicles constructed or capable of being used for the carriage of more than 15 people, excluding the driver.