INSURANCE companies were challenged yesterday by Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan to open their books and show how penalty points have reduced claims from car crashes.

Motorists using mobile phones while driving are the next category due to fall into the penalty points trap, according to reports this morning.

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.

Gardai have rejected reports that motorists can escape penalty points through a loophole in the system.

According to research commissioned by Semperit Tyres, 80% of Irish drivers have been behaving themselves since penalty points were introduced.