a computer bug puts points recovery centers in difficulty

Following a computer problem, motorists who commit offenses no longer lose points on their license. The national union of points license professionals deplores a shortfall of 8 million euros.

Fewer and fewer trainees are flocking to road safety awareness centers, these centers which offer courses to recover points after an offense. A drop in attendance which could be linked to the end of the point withdrawal in the event of speeding below 5 km/h, a measure which came into force in January. But in reality, Antai, the National Agency for the Automated Processing of Offenses, is affected by a computer bug which has lasted since November. Motorists who commit violations receive the fine, but keep their points. Enough to put the managers of these centers in difficulty. The national union of points license professionals deplores a shortfall of 8 million euros.

In Boulogne-Billancourt, Pascal is an instructor and normally organizes courses every week. But at the moment, he is struggling to fill his room. “You should know that legally the centers cannot organize an internship if there are less than six participants. So what happens is that the internships are canceled by the centers because they do not have enough participants. There is a drop in activity of around 30% at the national level”, testifies Pascal. Same observation for Majid, a psychologist who organizes the internships in pairs with Pascal and begins to worry. “It was between 8 and 10 internships per month, now it’s between 2 and 3, it’s starting to weigh heavily since it constitutes around 80% of my budget, it’s enormous”he denounces.

Drivers lose fewer points

According to them, if fewer drivers need to recover points, it is simply because they lose fewer points. “There are reports which were presented to us by trainees, for example for crossing a red light which will normally generate a fine of 135 euros and a withdrawal of 4 points. And finally on the report we see at the bottom that this infraction does not result in point withdrawal”reports Pascal.

“Offenses are no longer subject to point deductions.”

Joël Polteau, president of the national union of points license professionals

at franceinfo

These situations began to arise in November when state agencies tried to update the automated infraction system to remove point deductions for minor speeding violations, but it didn’t work out that way. foreseen. Joël Polteau, president of the National Union of Points License Professionals, contacted state services to obtain answers. “The comments made by the road safety department are that it is a computer bug. It is following the intervention of IT service providers on the current license file”, he reports. For its part, the road safety department assures that the bug is being resolved, without however giving a date.