Deaths fall since start of points system
As the November 1 anniversary of the measure approaches, Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said the penalty points system was having a positive effect on driver behaviour.
Before last weekend’s loss of 10 lives, the number of road deaths was down by 81 on the comparative period of 2001/ 2002 since the introduction of penalty points.
In the 11-month period to the end of September, 57,398 drivers received penalty points. Only 4% of them re-offended with 1,949 on four points, 106 drivers on six and 10 on eight. One Dublin-based driver, at 10 points, is very close to an automatic ban.
A total of 56 drivers each incurred four-point penalties on conviction in the district courts.
Penalty points are given for speeding, driving without insurance, and seat belt offences but the minister warned that persistent offenders could easily find points accumulating quickly next year when the system will be extended to more than 60 breaches of the Road Traffic Act. A total of 12 points carries a 12-month ban.
M r Brennan said: “There are some drivers who may have the misguided view they can settle into a comfort zone of four or six points but that would be a mistake when the full roll-out of penalty points’ offences take place.”
In addition to the significant fall in road deaths, serious injury cases and insurance claims are down by 20%, with spinal injury accidents reduced by 50%.
“People are slowing down,” said M r Brennan. “We see it every day on the roads. The overall figures are encouraging but it remains a daily battle to keep getting the message across.”
Mr Brennan said the fact that 96% of offenders had not exceeded the two-point level confirmed the scheme had a positive influence on the behaviour of drivers.
Commending gardaí, the minister said: “Enforcement has made a real impact on the ground, but it will require continuing efforts on all our parts to make it a continued success.”
He said the application of penalty points made the threat of losing a driving licence more of a reality for drivers who persistently breach road traffic legislation.
According to the figures, 280 drivers in Leitrim acquired penalty points, with Longford the only other county under the 500 mark. However, more than 15,000 Dublin-registered drivers, one-in- four of the overall total of 59,712 notifications, received penalty points.
Mr Brennan said: “The intended effect of the system is not to put people off the roads, but to instil greater caution “Most importantly, its purpose is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our roads,” he said.
