Positions

Partly because of all of the attention and publicity for the introduction of a demerit points system, it will initially have a positive road safety effect; drivers will alter their behaviour. The long term success of demerit points systems depends entirely on a sufficient level of police enforcement; i.e. the risk of being caught. When people become aware of the slight risk of being caught, many will lapse into their old behaviour. The consequence of this is that the road safety effect practically ebbs away after some time. The standards of police enforcement and public information (campaigns) are crucial to any lasting success. SWOV expects the introduction of the alcolock to have a greater effect on heavy drinkers.

The difference between the government proposal and other demerit points systems
The demerit points driving licence now proposed by the government differs from demerit points systems in other countries. It is simpler than other demerit points systems because it focuses exclusively on repeated drink-driving.

The proposed demerit points system simply speaking entails that the driving licence is suspended if somebody is convicted by a judge for drink-driving for the second time within five years. After the period of licence suspension, a driving test must be taken again in order to obtain a driving licence again.

Effect on road safety
Studies have shown that when a demerit points system is introduced, the attention and publicity can initially have a positive road safety effect. The longer term effect depends on the risk of being caught. However, the enforcements efforts which are required for this should not negatively influence the current drink-driving enforcement level.

The current Dutch enforcement policy is particularly effective for light offenders. It is far less effective for heavy offenders, and it is they who cause the vast majority of road crashes. It remains uncertain if they will alter their behaviour after the demerit points system has been introduced.
Studies have also shown licence suspension to have a limited effect on these heavy drinkers. They quite often continue to drive without a licence.

SWOV expects the introduction of an alcolock to have a greater effect on this group. Studies in the USA and Canada have shown that people who've had their driving licence suspended are 2-3 times more likely to be recidivists than drivers who, after a similar drink-driving offence, are only allowed to drive with an alcolock in their car. SWOV's preference, therefore, is an enforced alcolock for heavy drinkers.

Recommendations

• Maintain at least the current level of police enforcement and intensify it where possible;
• In due time, assess the effectiveness of the demerit points system in the Netherlands;
• Avoid this demerit points system delaying the preparation of other effective measures being introduced (alcolock).

See for more information:
Fact sheet Demerit points systems
Fact sheet Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
Fact sheet Alcolock