In Côte d’Ivoire, the authorities are announcing the introduction of a points-based license from March 1, 2023 to reduce the number of road accidents. The last National Safety Council noted that there are an average of 46 road accidents per day, killing nearly 1,050 people in 2022. Even if this trend is down, the authorities intend to redouble their efforts to reduce risks on the roads.
With our correspondent in Abidjan, Bineta Diagne
From March 1, the Ivorian driver’s license will have a capital of 12 points. Each violation of the Highway Code leads to a deduction of points: minus six points for using the telephone while driving or even minus four points in the event of non-compliance with a red light or a sign requiring a stop.
In case of loss of all these points, an internship in an approved center will be necessary for the permit to be valid again. Added to this are fines and prison terms for the most serious offences.
The aim of this reform is to encourage drivers to be more careful “says Amadou Koné, the Minister of Transport.
Concretely, users will not need to change their licence, the latter are already equipped with a chip which makes it possible to identify each driver.
Alongside this reform, the authorities plan to install more mobile speed cameras and video surveillance to ticket motorists if necessary. Road signs and signs should also be reinforced.
► Also read and listen: Road safety in Côte d’Ivoire: prevention in driving schools [1/2]