New penalty-point offences have little impact on total issued
The computerisation of the penalty points system, as well as the introduction of 31 new offences has not had a significant impact in the number of drivers getting points.
Now, motorists can get points for 35 different offences, but there has only been a 10% increase in the number of points being issued since the introduction of the new offences.
Up to March this year, the system was operated manually and included just four offences. At that stage, an average of 4,100 penalty points were issued by gardaí every week.
On April 3, the scheme was computerised and 31 new offences were added.
It was anticipated that there would be a sharp rise in the number of points doled out to drivers following the increase in offences from four to 35.
However, it has emerged that just over 4,500 points have been issued every week following the introduction of the new offences.
The news comes as another five people were killed on the country's roads at the weekend.
