Demerit point systems (also known as penalty points) keep count of penalty points of traffic offenders, which means that recidivists can be punished by, for example, a (temporary) disqualification from driving. Demerit point systems usually contain three elements that could promote road safety: deterrence, selection, and correction. The deterrence effect consists of the threat of losing the driving licence if one commits various traffic offences during a particular period. The assumption is that one will think twice before committing an intended offence. Demerit points can, in principle, also catch notorious so-called accident-prone drivers before they get involved in a crash (selection). As most systems offer the opportunity of decreasing the point total by following a course, a corrective/educative element also exists. Demerit point systems are being introduced in more and more countries, although there are countries with a safe reputation, such as the Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands, that do not have such a system. The popularity of such systems is probably the result of them being seen as just in treating recidivists harsher than those who only offend incidentally. Relatively little research has been done on the road safety effects of such systems, possibly because their effect is regarded self-evident and because effect measurements are complex. From what is known, the lasting effect appears to be small: a few deaths at the most. This does not take into account the temporary effect immediately after the introduction, i.e. overestimating the chance of losing ones driving licence. However, reliable research is known into the various elements of such systems. The conclusion is that there is a deterrence effect, but because this is only for a short period after a driver has been `awarded' penalty points, the road safety effect is slight, certainly considering the small chance of getting caught. For many accident-prone drivers, selection by the points system and exclusion from traffic would be too late. This is because most traffic offences are left unpunished and, in most systems, correction possibilities are offered. At the present moment, it is not yet known if courses work correctively, if they are aimed at preventing offences other than drink driving. There are no effect studies known which show a reduction in the number of recidivists. Although there has been a demand for a demerit point system for a long time now, and it has wide social support, no such system has been introduced in the Netherlands up till now. There are three reasons for this: 1) the road safety effect was, and is still estimated as being low, 2) there is a fear of bureaucracy that goes with keeping track of points, and 3) such systems harmonize poorly with the 'Mulder Law'. This law makes it possible to settle offences administratively by using the registration number on the number plate, and has increased greatly the chance of getting caught. Points, however, are awarded to people and not to vehicles. If the Mulder Law is not repealed, points can only be awarded when drivers are stopped. Only 12.8% of all registered offences were as a result of being stopped. The expectation is that, if an average strictness is applied, only several road deaths a year will be saved by a demerit point system in the Netherlands. This, for example, involves a temporary disqualification from driving if a driver is stopped three times within two years for a serious offence (e.g. speeding by 20-30 km/h). A greater effect than several road deaths a year is expected if the chance of getting caught (by being stopped) is greatly increased.
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