Government announced yesterday.

Under the scheme, drivers would be disqualified if they stacked up a certain number of penalty points.

The move would cut prison terms for traffic violations -- as urged in the Judge Stephen Tumim report.

Judge Tumim, Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales, said many youngsters had their first brush with the law through traffic offences.

Great Britain, Canada, and the United States already have point systems.

A similar scheme has been considered for Bermuda for 25 years, but no conclusions reached.

Yesterday Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall said: "We are trying to introduce a system whereby a motorist would know and be forewarned about an approaching severe penalty if his driving record was such that he had stacked up a certain number of demerit points within a certain time frame.

"The penalty could come as no surprise to him.'' Traffic offenders would only be disqualified if they showed no effort to change their driving habits.

Government recently brought in fixed penalties for some minor traffic and speeding offences.

These had been well received by the public, said Mr. Marshall.

He added: "This seemed an opportune time to move forward on the points system.

"We are starting to examine the details of how such a system would work and we are looking at similar systems in place in other jurisdictions such as Canada, the United States and Britain to find a points system which might be suitable for Bermuda.'' Mr. Marshall said the Transport Ministry will be conducting a feasibility study shortly on a points system.