Carnage cut by points system

Some 40,000 motorists have received penalty points since the system come into force nine months ago, according to figures released by the Department of Transport today.

Road deaths were down from 230 to 208 in the first seven months of this year in comparison with the same period in 2002.

There is one driver on 10 points, just two points away from the unenviable distinction of being the first person to lose his or her licence in the new system. More than 38,000 people have two penalty points; just over 1,000 have four points, while 41 drivers have six points, and three have eight points.