Semperit research says penalty points are working

Make:

Tuesday, May 27, 2003

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

600 motorists from around the country were asked about the impact penalty points have made to their driving habits and younger drivers claim to be especially influenced by the points system.

More than a quarter of Dublin drivers say their driving habits haven’t changed at all, though, compared to just 10% of Connaught and Ulster drivers.

Lansdowne Market Research, who conducted the survey on behalf of Semperit last month, found that 56% of motorists are 'a lot more careful', while with 27% claim to have altered their driving somewhat.

17% say the points system has made no difference while more male drivers were marginally affected by the system than women motorists.

More significantly, 87% of drivers between 17 and 34 claim to have slowed down, with 56% now driving 'a lot more carefully.'

Semperit’s Angus Smith says, “The influence of penalty points on the most vulnerable driver category, young males, is particularly heartening.”

But he warns that “to sustain this momentum the system has to be seen to be enforced.”

May’s appalling fatalities seems to indicate that the early impact of the points system is on the wane already.

After an encouraging start, the death toll so far in 2003 is only 14 behind 2002’s figure.