More than 57,000 clock up penalty points

More than 57,000 drivers have incurred penalty points since last November, the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, said this afternoon.

Releasing figures for the first 11 months of the scheme, Mr Brennan said 81 fewer people had been killed in road crashes during this period compared with the same 11-month period the previous year during which 378 people died.

This September saw the lowest number of fatalities for the month since records began in 1968.

While welcoming the reduction, the Minister said "last weekend's tragic toll on the roads was a stark reminder of the need for all road users to exercise caution". Ten people were killed on the roads last weekend.

Up to September 30th, 57,398 drivers have received penalty points. No one has reached the 12-point threshold at which drivers are automatically disqualified from driving for six months.

One driver has incurred 10 points; 10 have eight points, 106 have six points, 1,949 have 4 points and 55,332 have received 2 points.

"It is worth noting that 96 per cent of drivers who have incurred penalty points have remained at the two-point level," he said. The extension of the points system to 69 offences next year will quickly disprove the misguided view held by some drivers that they can settle into a comfort zone of four or six penalty points, he added.

"They could very quickly find themselves off the road for six months as persistent offenders will find points accumulating quite quickly", the Minister said.

"It should be remembered that the purpose of this system is not to put people off the roads but to ensure a positive change in driver behaviour", Mr Brennan said.

Three offences are currently covered by the scheme, speeding, driving without insurance and the non-wearing of seat belts.