SHITAT HANIKUD

What It Is and How It Works

The SHITAT HANIKUD was created in 2003. For every traffic violation one commits, there are a certain number of points one receives, in addition to the penalty for that same violation. The points are cumulative for two or three years, depending on the case. Therefore, if a driver is careful and his traffic violations are rare, this system of accumulation of points will not affect him, because in between the violations, the points will be erased with the statutory lapse of time. Parking tickets do not accumulate points, but the fines are expensive! “Minor” speeding tickets are also exempt from accumulative points.

The SHITAT HANIKUD was created in 2003. For every traffic violation one commits, there are a certain number of points one receives, in addition to the penalty for that same violation.

The points are cumulative for two or three years, depending on the case. Therefore, if a driver is careful and his traffic violations are rare, this system of accumulation of points will not affect him, because in between the violations, the points will be erased with the statutory lapse of time.

Parking tickets do not accumulate points, but the fines are expensive! “Minor” speeding tickets are also exempt from accumulative points.

Time Table and Consequences of Accumulating Points

First Stage: The time table for the accumulation is two years. There is no possibility to erase any points acquired during this period - even if you “volunteer” for any type of course, as we will explain later.

Second Stage: If you have accumulated 22 points or more in the first two years, the accrual period will be prolonged to four years. For example; if before January 2008 a person had acquired 12 points, and in December 2009 he gets another 10 points, the 22 points remain on his record until January 2012 instead of January 2010.

Third Stage: If 24 and 34 points are accumulated, the transgressor is required to attend a special course on driver safety.

Fourth Stage: If a driver reaches 36 points, his driver’s license will be suspended for three months and he will have to successfully pass the theoretical test (again).

Fifth Stage: If a driver receives 72 points during a six year period, his license will be suspended for nine months and the driver will have to successfully pass not only the theoretical test, but the practical driving test as well. In addition, the transgressor will have to be examined by the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety’s medical staff to confirm he is fit to drive.

A Word of Wisdom

Under special circumstances if your licence is suspended, it is possible to ask for a postponement of this “penalty” .This is possible only in extreme cases; it is complicated and not easily granted. If you appeal one of the violations (trying to cancel and therefore diminishing the number of accumulated points) it is possible to receive a four- month postponement of the driver’s licence suspension.

When receiving a legal notice of the cancellation (it can be handed to you by a police officer or by other legal method) you must immediately return your driver’s license to the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety. If you have lost your driver’s license, you must provide a declaration signed by a lawyer. The cancellation period will start counting only when you provide such a declaration.

If you have received notice that you must participate in the “course” and you fail to do so within a year of the notice, your driver’s license will be suspended.

Violations & Points

Point quantities vary based on the severity of the violation, as follows:

• 2 points – Driving without lights (regardless of whether they are not on or not working properly).
• 4 points – Failure to stop at a Stop sign, or driving backwards in a dangerous manner.
• 6 points – Violating a “no-entrance” sign, crossing a solid line on the road, or driving children without the required protective seat and/or restraints.
• 8 points – Exceeding 70 km/h on a city road (where the maximum speed is 50 km/h), or making a dangerous U-turn.
• 10 points – Driving through a Red Light at an intersection, driving on an inter-city road at more than 40 km/h over the permissible speed limit, not stopping for a pedestrian at a pedestrian crossing, or failure to grant the right-of-way at a signal or stop sign (this is more serious than failure to stop at a stop sign!)

Tickets & Appeals

You must pay a ticket (most of them will also accumulate points) within 90 days or ask the case to be brought to court and be judged by a judge in the Traffic Court. If you do not pay and do not appeal within 90 days, the ticket will be considered as if you have been judged.

What is a Course?

Required courses can be:

• Revising or Refresher course
• Basic Course
• Course to learn about the point system
• Geared toward specific violations such as “speeding” or “intersections”

You will receive a summons to attend a course and you must attend on time at the location dictated by the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety.

A Word of Wisdom

Do everything you can not to go through one of these courses. You will learn very little and it can be extremely annoying and time consuming.

You do not want to be at a traffic hearing in Israel! Certainly don’t go without a lawyer – and remember to confirm that s/he has strong experience in the field well and believes you have some chance of winning. The chances are usually minimal.

If you want to know how many points you have already accumulated please call *5678. The Ministry of Transport and Road Safety will send you a written report (to the address registered with them, therefore be sure it is the correct one).

If you want to know how many points you will have for a specific traffic violation visit this site: http://he.mot.gov.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=570:nikud-motmf-a&catid=72:drv-points-c&Itemid=121

A Final Word of Wisdom

Some drivers make the roads dangerous, drive carefully because no points will save lives – only wisdom and awareness when driving.

Sincerely,
 

Tzvi Szajnbrum, Attorney at Law