The Point system and its impact on the number of fatal traffic accidents

This study summarises the results of a quantitative assessment of the impact of the points system, introduced in 2006, on the number of fatal traffic accidents in the Czech Republic. The introduction of the points system was also accompanied by legal changes that raised fines for traffic offences and broadened the transport police's powers. Initially, the number of fatal accidents dropped sharply. Injuries were reduced by 33.3%, which with 95% certainty represents between 51 and 204 lives saved. However, beyond the first year, the new law had no noticeable impact on the number of fatal accidents. Our findings indicate that the reform's negligible impact in the long term was caused by a gradual decline in resources dedicated to traffic police services in the field. Exaggerated expectations very likely contributed to the reform's significant short-term impact, as people over-estimated the possible sanctions they would face with the introduction of the new law, and drove carefully for a few weeks. Over time, they adapted their behaviour to meet the real level of monitoring and enforcement of the new rules, which was in fact low and becoming even lower. The number of fatal accidents thus returned to its original level