The cleaned-up penalty points system has passed its first real test by the body set up to keep an eye on it, but there are still areas of concern, writes Michael Clifford

More than 66,000 motorists had their speed checked by gardaí in under 10 hours as Operation Slowdown delivered on its promise of an intensive nationwide scrutiny of driving habits.

Louth has emerged as the country’s speeding blackspot, with a staggering 95% of all motorists nationally who were driving over the limit in 120km/h zones over a four-year period detected in the border county.

Sixty motorists accused of speeding in north Cork may be in line for a reprieve due to a recent High Court decision that they should be served with a photograph of their car at the incident.