The penalty point system introduced a year ago saw 164 drivers have their licence suspended in its first year of operation, Transport Minister Ian Borg said.

The system was extended to all drivers this time last year, having previously applied only to those who had just obtained their licence.

Under the new system, drivers lose their licence for two months if they accumulate 12 penalty points over a 12-month period.

If their licence is revoked twice in three years, the driver must sit for a fresh driving test before regaining the licence.

Read: Understanding the driving penalty points system

A third revocation in five years means the driver can only sit for the test after a year of not driving, with the suspension rising to two years for those whose licence is revoked four times in a seven-year span.

System had already proven to be a life-saver

Dr Borg said that although this system was not very popular with motorists, it had already proven to be a life-saver. 

The government, he said, was not only focusing on reprimanding reckless drivers by temporarily taking them off the road, but was also looking to be proactive in raising awareness about road safety.

He was speaking during a tour of Malta Road Safety Council and Transport Malta stands which have been set up in front of Parliament in Valletta.

The educational campaigns for the holiday season are part of a nationwide effort to encourage drivers to drink responsibly and to be safe on the roads.

Dr Borg said the festive season was synonymous with celebrations, and encouraged the public to make alternative transport arrangements if they intended to drink.

Transport Malta’s enforcement unit, he said, would not only be inspecting motorists, but would also be increasing the checks carried out on drivers of taxis, vans and other similar services to ensure that those opting for alternative transport really were taking the safer option.

Dr Borg concluded by reminding those present that officials who worked to keep the island’s roads safe had families of  their own and urged motorists to respect their instructions and not put them in harm’s way.