Armenia to introduce point system for drivers

The Armenian police propose to introduce a new type of administrative punishment for drivers in the form of penalty points.

How it will work

Drivers will lose points for every recorded traffic violation.

Each driver will initially be given nine points. For each traffic violation, they will have points deducted. For the most severe traffic violations, drivers may lose as many as four points. If a driver loses all nine points, their license will be taken away.

The police have already published a list on how many penalty points will be deducted for specific violations. For example, two points will be deducted for incorrectly traversing an intersection. One point will be taken off for incorrectly overtaking other vehicles. Four points will be deducted for exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h.

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What is the purpose of introducing the new system?

The police believe that the new system will improve the safety situation on the roads.

“The penalty system will be a deterrent and will lead to discipline on the roads. We hope that the number of serious accidents will also decrease,” said police chief Valeriy Osipyan.

The reaction of drivers on social media networks

Many are not excited about the proposed laws, believing them to be harsh and worried that many will lose their driving licenses for minor traffic offenses.

Here’s what some social media users are writing:

“I don’t understand – has the new government come to ease the lot of the people or to complicate our lives even more? Let our country live like Europe, and only then introduce European laws.”

“Can you explain why exactly 9 points? Why not 5, 7 or 20? How did you calculate it?”

But there were those who supported the changes as well:

“People are outraged because no one likes driving by the rules. Learn to obey the rules of the road.”