The Knesset Economics Committee approved a new traffic points reform on Monday after months in which many traffic offenses carried no points. The change, pushed by committee chair MK David Bitan, will ease punishment for minor violations while significantly tightening penalties for serious safety offenses. It is expected to take effect in about 30 days after publication in the official gazette.
A central feature of the reform is that when a driver commits several offenses in one incident, points will be imposed only for the most serious violation. The rule, described as a formal adoption of the Talmudic principle of "kim lei bidraba minei," means a driver will no longer accumulate points for multiple offenses arising from the same event, such as entering an intersection and obstructing traffic.
The new regulations also reduce the duration of some point offenses. Violations worth up to 6 points will remain on a driver’s record for one year instead of two, while offenses worth 8 or 10 points will still last two years. In addition, points for some minor offenses were cut to zero, including entering an intersection that cannot be cleared and causing traffic delays.
At the same time, the system will become harsher for core safety violations. Running a red light, using a mobile phone while driving, failing to yield at a crosswalk, and driving on the shoulder will rise to 10 points from 8. The point system had not fully operated since February for offenses carrying a 500-shekel fine because of a technical failure in the Transport Ministry, but it will now be restored for those violations as well, including careless driving and crossing a solid line.
The Transport Ministry submitted revised regulations after Bitan refused to approve the original version two weeks ago, saying the ministry had not kept its promise to ease penalties for drivers. Industry sources in the haulage and transport sector said the plan still does not adequately address professional drivers and could worsen labor shortages. The one-year point period will only begin later, after the ministry completes the necessary technical adjustments.
