Penalty points system hits home

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Tuesday, June 10, 2003

Research commissioned by Semperit Tyres has revealed over 80% of motorists in Ireland have altered their driving behaviour on foot of the introduction of penalty points for speeding.

The study of over 600 motorists nationwide, also found younger drivers — the driver category where road fatalities are concentrated — are more influenced by the new system than any other demographic group.

The Lansdowne Market research, carried out last month, found that 56% of motorists are driving ‘a lot more carefully’ because of penalty points, with a further 27% claiming to have altered their driving somewhat.

Only 17% confess to being uninfluenced by the system in their driving. Male drivers were marginally more responsive than their female counterparts.

Some 87% of drivers between 17 and 34 claim to drive more carefully because of penalty points, with 56% now driving ‘a lot more carefully.’

The research shows that 22% of drivers over 50 have not been influenced in their driving by the new penalties.

Over one quarter of Dublin motorists said the penalty points had no effect on their driving. This fell to just 10% in the case of drivers in Connaught/Ulster.

According to Angus Smith of Semperit, there is a consensus that the introduction of penalty points has had a bearing on the recent reduction in road fatalities.

He also said reluctance of Dublin motorists to change may be because congestion in the capital renders speed limits irrelevant.

Semperit research has also shown that fewer than half of drivers claim to check their tyres regularly.