Penalty points hit 6,000 drivers

MORE THAN 6,000 drivers have received penalty points in the last four months but motoring groups fear drivers will soon start driving dangerously again.

Some 6,457 drivers have picked up points but gardaí estimate that three times this number got speeding fines over the same period. Some of these motorists are contesting the fines to avoid points going on their licence, and the remainder haven’t yet been issued with the penalty that takes 56 days to process.

Road deaths also fell dramatically since Transport Minister Seamus Brennan implemented the controversial system last October.