Life-Saving Point-Based Licence System
The report analyses the feasibility of implementing a Life-Saving Point-Based Licence System, gathering its contextualisation, different international research, expert opinions and social perception of Mexican citizens.
In addition, different recommendations on its implementation are put forward. Through international evidence, it is estimated that Mexico could significantly reduce accident victims with the application of the points system, despite some initial challenges that should be faced in its implementation.
What is the Mexican road situation?
- Currently in Mexico, the Points-Based Licensing System is not implemented in any state, and they warn of the challenges that the country would need to face for its implementation.
- There are plans to implement a permanent driver's license in Mexico City and, to support it, stricter criteria have been proposed. The "License for Road Safety that Saves Lives" may address this need.
Points-based driver's licenses are a measure to penalize violations committed by drivers through the subtraction/earning of points, with the aim of reducing traffic accidents in the countries or regions where they are implemented. This license involves six dimensions:
Opportunities of the Life-Saving Point-Based Licence System
Life-saving tool
Based on the country's accident rate data, if we were to apply a 15-20% reduction in the number of people killed in Mexico due to traffic accidents (being the range indicated by the scientific evidence with the application of this system), between 2,400 and 3,250 lives would be saved annually in the country.
Reduction in economic losses
The decrease in fatalities would mean a reduction in the economic costs derived from this cause, which according to data from 2018 produced losses of 174-204 billion pesos, according to the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO).
System with public acceptance
A survey of 1,469 citizens showed that 77.9% agree or strongly agree with its implementation in Mexico. The high public acceptance found is in line with other international research, which also shows a higher acceptance after one year of operation.
Empower integrated road safety solutions
In order to optimise its effectiveness, it would be advisable for the system applied in Mexico to be uniform, based on the loss of points, with adequate technological infrastructure, conditional on vulnerable user groups, and to include re-education and psycho-physical evaluation of repeat offenders.
