Mayo motorists facing prospect of more penalty points

Mayo motorists face more penalty points under a graduated system that punishes excessive speeding.

The Irish Independent is reporting that the plan, which the government intends to make law this year, would mean a higher number of penalty points depending on the level of speeding.

"The penalties would start on the current flat rate of three points and would reach up to seven points for speeds far higher than the limit that was exceeded.

"Last year, Ireland experienced the highest number of road deaths in more than a decade, with 190 lives lost.

"Junior transport minister Seán ­Canney is reviving plans for a graduated points system that were abandoned by the previous administration, because they were deemed too complicated to implement.

"Department of Transport officials have begun examining a “proportionate” points system whereby the current rate of three points would apply to a motorist who was, for example, caught driving at 85kmh in a 80kmh zone.

"This could reach up to seven points if, for example, a motorist was caught driving at 160kmh in a 120kmh zone.

"Such a system was previously planned by Shane Ross when he was transport minister, but was subsequently abandoned by his successor Eamon Ryan.

"A graduated points system for speeding offences was requested by former garda commissioner Drew Harris in representations to the Department of Transport," the report added.