Speedsters are getting the message

The introduction of the penalty points system for speeding has made a significant impact on driver behaviour and has reduced the incidence of speeding, new figures suggest.

More than 300,000 speeding offences were detected in 2002, but for the first three months of this year the figure stands at 40,000. The drop in detections has been attributed to a change in driver behaviour following the introduction of the penalty points system, rather than a reduction in garda enforcement.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said last night (May 19) the statistics indicated the increased level of enforcement by Gardai in recent years was having a positive effect on road death and injuries.