Operating a vehicle on the roadways of the Virgin Islands can be a trying experience. Sometimes even getting to your destination can feel like an adventure as you share the road with drivers who are talking on their cell phones, speeding or generally ignoring the rules of the road. We have all noticed and shaken our heads at those people whose dangerous driving endangers us, our passengers and property.

Some of these drivers don’t deserve to be on the road.

Presently, drivers receiving traffic tickets can choose to pay the ticket or appear in court. While this simple system has served the Virgin Islands for many years, we must re-evaluate its effectiveness in getting and keeping habitually dangerous drivers off our roads.

Police departments across the country have found a multi-level penalty system to be effective in handling problem drivers. Warning letters, educational brochures, group and individual counseling, special driving courses are avenues that are typically explored before final revocation or suspension of the driver’s license. The objective of any program of traffic enforcement is to improve the safety of the roadways by bringing all users into compliance with the established laws and standards for motor vehicle operators.

Implementation of the legislatively mandated point system (V.I.C. Title 20 Section 801) would create a mechanism for getting dangerous drivers off the Virgin Islands roadways. Across the United States, moving violation point systems have been established to improve highway safety by identifying those drivers who have repeatedly been convicted of moving violations ranging from not wearing a seatbelt to driving under the influence. Studies done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cite the effectiveness of point systems and similar demerit programs in preventing drivers from committing repeated traffic offenses.

Virgin Islands law mandates that every person convicted of a motor vehicle violation be assessed one or more violation points according to the point schedule outlined in the legislation. Any person who accumulates 12 or more points at any time shall have their driving privileges suspended for a period of not less than six months. The word “privilege” is properly used in the legislation, because the operation of motor vehicle is not a right – it is a privilege. Once a person’s driving privileges have been reinstated, the total point count resets to zero. The proper application of this law would involve the Superior Court and the Motor Vehicles Bureau, the Police Department’s partners in ensuring driver safety and administering the territory’s traffic laws.

What many consider to be “simple” violations might not be taken so lightly if points were assessed. A driver stopped for not wearing a safety belt would be assessed two points; a driver whose child or infant is not properly restrained in a seat would have five points assigned to their license. Imagine the restraint drivers might show if they knew a conviction for speeding is a minimum 2 point demerit. What about those people who act like the highway is their personal Indy 500? 10 points for exceeding the speed limit by 30 miles per hour or more. Improper passing, improper turns or failing to signal gets 3 points each. Driving under the influence is assigned a 12 point demerit. Penalties for operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner can range from three to eight points, depending on whether an accident was caused and whether property damage or injury was involved. The points are assessed relative to the severity of the violation.

This discussion begs the question of how much more conscientious drivers might be if they knew penalties could affect their ability to acquire or afford auto insurance, to renew their driver’s license or even to drive a car. The application of the point system could also involve the insurance industry, ideally resulting in better prices for good drivers.

The Virgin Islands Police Department is committed to implementing and enforcing all measures that will ensure the safety and security of the community we are charged to protect and serve. The point system is a mechanism that enables us to remove from our roads those drivers whose actions regularly imperil others. Operating a motor vehicle is a privilege not a right. The point system reminds us that the privilege of driving - like trust – is easily lost if repeatedly violated. The threat of license suspension and the loss of the driving privilege should encourage all of us to practice better driving and exercise greater caution behind the wheel.

Everyone has the right to be safe on our roads.