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Who has never dreamed of being rewarded for staying on the straight and narrow? Well, that is exactly what is proposed in a new bill that promises to shake up Brazilian traffic rules. The idea, defended by Congressman Antonio Carlos Rodrigues (PL-SP), is simple and attractive: drivers who do not commit infractions for six months will be able to have one third of the points accumulated on their driver's license reduced, promoting a culture of safe driving and encouraging good traffic practices.
The bill aims to change the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB), which has regulated the way points are accumulated on a driver's license since 1997. The proposal, which has already sparked debate in the Chamber of Deputies, provides practical recognition for careful drivers. Only those who avoid infractions during the six-month period will benefit from the reduction in points. According to Congressman Rodrigues, this is a measure that values responsibility behind the wheel, encouraging drivers to maintain exemplary conduct in traffic.
Currently, the driver's license is suspended when the driver accumulates 40 points in a year without serious infractions, 30 points with one serious infraction, or 20 points with two or more serious infractions. In this context, the new law seeks to reduce points in order to encourage positive behaviors and provide a second chance for those who, due to an occasional slip-up, saw their driver's license close to suspension.
CNH points and infraction categories: how does the current system work?
The current scoring system assigns different scores to infractions based on their severity: minor infractions result in 3 points, medium infractions result in 4, serious infractions result in 5 and very serious infractions result in 7 points. This system was recently updated, because until 2020, the accumulation of just 20 points, regardless of the type of infraction, was enough to lead to the suspension of the driver's license.
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With the changes, the system has become more nuanced, allowing drivers to accumulate points according to the profile of their infractions. This context makes the proposal to reduce points on a driver's license a way of recognizing those who adopt safe driving and follow traffic rules.
The path of the bill
For the bill to become a reality, it needs to be analyzed by the Transport and Roads and Constitution, Justice and Citizenship committees before being voted on by the Chamber of Deputies and, subsequently, by the Federal Senate.
If approved, the project could add a new perspective to the CTB, creating a policy to encourage responsible driving that, in addition to punishments, values safe conduct in traffic.
Controversies and implications of reducing points on the driver's license
Despite its good intentions, the bill has sparked debate among experts and lawmakers. Critics have raised concerns that the measure could benefit reckless drivers who simply “didn’t get caught” during the six-month period. However, the proposal is clearly aimed at those who, for the most part, maintain exemplary behavior but who may have committed occasional infractions.
Furthermore, the bill and traffic safety must be analyzed together, so that the new legislation fulfills its role without leaving room for irresponsibility. Road safety remains the central objective of the CTB, and the expectation is that measures like this can contribute to more balanced and responsible traffic, correcting mistakes and rewarding good behavior.
Safer and more conscious traffic
The proposal to reduce points on the driver's license, currently under consideration, will still need to undergo in-depth discussions before being implemented. However, the idea of a policy of rewards for careful drivers is seen as a positive step for traffic in Brazil.
After all, valuing responsible driving and promoting road safety are goals we all want to achieve, safer and more conscious traffic benefits everyone. The vote and the fate of the project will say a lot about what Brazilian society and legislators want for the future of our roads.
How can we justify the reduction of points for infractions committed by drivers prior to the following six months? Obviously, wrong! A previous error cannot justify a correction “after the fact”, considering isolated and contradictory actions! In this way, Brazilian drivers will take advantage of this justification to commit infractions, so that they can later be promoted with a reduction in points on their driver’s license. This is deceiving the fine system! A mistake cannot justify a correction. Each one has its own weight in itself!