Speeding penalties to cut carnage

YESTERDAY’S formal unveiling of the new penalty points system, which comes into effect tomorrow, saw Minister Seamus Brennan express the hope the programme will have a significant impact on road fatalities.

In reality, if even one life is saved as a result of the new scheme, it will be a good day's work.

As thousands of families across the country who have lost loved ones on the roads will testify speed kills. They have good reason to welcome these initiatives aimed at reducing the increasing tendency of motorists to drive at excessive speed.