Rehab scheme for driving offenders

A new community service programme allows motorists whose licences have been revoked for traffic offences to have them returned, wiping out all of their black points.

ABU DHABI // Motorists whose licences have been revoked for traffic offences will have them returned if they pass a new driving rehabilitation course.

The course is compulsory for drivers with 72 black points, who will also have the points wiped out if they pass. It will also be available to those with 24 or fewer black points, which would be reduced by eight. Any fines imposed will still have to be paid.

The pilot scheme is the first phase of a programme launched yesterday by the Community Service Department of Abu Dhabi Police to offer alternative sentences to minor offenders.

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The second phase will offer community service to those convicted of 55 lesser offences, including theft and vandalism.

Driving offenders may also be ordered to visit accident victims in hospital to see at first hand the consequences of their actions, Lt Col Saif Obaid al Khaili, the manager of the Community Service Department, said yesterday.

"We want to give these individuals an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and better themselves," he said.

"It's about giving people a second chance."

Since 2008, drivers in Abu Dhabi who accumulate 72 black points have lost their licence for a year. Those with 24 black points in one year, or 48 in six months, have their licence revoked for three months.

Offences such as street racing, running a red light or driving in a manner that endangers pedestrians attract 12 black points. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or without a licence plate, results in 24 black points.

Offenders will now be assessed by social specialists before being assigned to a driving rehabilitation course appropriate to the gravity of their offences. There is a general course for minor offences, such as not wearing a seat belt or using a mobile phone while driving, a special course for serious offences such as speeding or running a red light, and a third course for drivers of heavy vehicles.

“We must evaluate the person’s behaviour and his reasons for acting this way,” Lt Col al Khaili said.

“The problem may not simply be that a person is not familiar with the law, but an inner, psychological issue. We try to go to the root of the problem and find the best solution.”

The rehabilitation courses will be run by the Emirates Driving Company, with topics including respecting the law, driving behaviour, defensive driving and practical learning through simulation.

The courses vary in length but generally consist of several 45-minute classes over one or two days. Drivers with 72 black points pay a Dh850 fee, those with fewer than 24 pay Dh550.

After completing the course, drivers will be reassessed for changes in their driving knowledge, behaviour and attitude. Those who pass will have their black points reduced or erased and their licence returned. Drivers who fail must repeat the course.

The programme is available only to drivers with an Abu Dhabi licence, but police say they are looking to expand the programme to other emirates.

“We will evaluate the outcomes and based on this take the next step forward. We are currently in talks with the police from the other emirates,” Lt Col al Khaili said.

In Abu Dhabi, there are 40 drivers with 72 black points. Eighteen of them have GCC-issued licences. Although drivers who pass the courses will have the opportunity to start afresh, their driving history remains in the system, officials said.

The programme is the first of a series of initiatives from the Community Service Department to establish the concept of “restorative justice”, officials from the department said.

Alternative sentencing might include apologies to the victims of a crime; essay writing, in which offenders must describe the reasons for and consequences of their behaviour; therapy sessions; and visits to hospitals.

“This way, an offender can observe and experience how his behaviour could have affected others,” Lt Col al Khaili said. “If it’s a traffic offence, for example, he can attend to traffic accident victims in hospital.”

Alternatives will also be offered to minors, who can opt for community service instead of imprisonment. Ultimately, officials said, the goal of the programme is a safer community.