Motorists are being urged to see the demerit point system as more than just a disciplinary measure.

This call came yesterday from Arrive Alive President Sharon Inglefield, as the organization hosted its 10th Road Safety Awards.

Ms Inglefield warned citizens to not become numb to road traffic deaths, adding that demerit points systems have been implemented all over the world and have helped in bringing down fatalities.

Several other speakers echoed that sentiment, as they noted that the largest number of tickets issued in 2023 were due to failure to wear a seatbelt.

Among them was Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan who said the demerit points system was implemented to change T&T’s driving culture.

He said, “It has nothing to do with penalising. It is a fair system in that you accumulate points and when you reach a threshold, we say you need to go back and do some retraining. It’s not something we invented. It is used across the world in developed countries.”

Held in conjunction with the Works and Transport Ministry and Woodside Energy T&T, Arrive Alive’s 10th Road Safety Awards honoured first responders from the Regional Health Authorities, Global Medical Response Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Municipal Police, Transit Police and Traffic Warden Division.