More than 46,000 drivers have penalty points on their driving licences since the scheme was introduced last November.
Statistics released yesterday show that one driver, based in Dublin, has accumulated 10 points, and is just two points off automatically losing his or her licence for six months.
Four drivers - three in Dublin and one in Co Limerick - have accumulated 8 points, while 65 drivers have 6 points.
The figures only relate to speeding offences and do not include penalty points for seat-belt offences, which were included in the penalty-points system for the first time last month. The figures show that 46,177 drivers have penalty points up to August 28th, a rise of 16.4 per cent on the number who had penalty points on July 31st.
Commenting on the statistics, the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, said he believed that as more drivers receive penalty points on their licences, more are making an effort to improve safety on Irish roads. "I welcome the findings of a recent hospital survey on serious injuries resulting from road accidents which show a significant drop. Similarly, the number of road deaths for the 10-month period between 1st of November 2002 and 31st of August 2003 was 279.
"Sixty-three fewer people lost their lives through road accidents compared with the same period in the preceding 12 months when 342 people lost their lives."
He also called on the insurance industry to recognise better road behaviour by lowering insurance premiums.
As the numbers of fatalities, serious injuries and claims have all fallen, he was asking insurance companies to co-operate with his Department in making the roads safer for everyone.
However, the Minister's comments last night were criticised by the Irish Insurance Federation, which claimed the industry had contributed substantial amounts annually to support the National Safety Council in making roads safer.
While penalty points had partly contributed to the recent return to profitability of the industry, the IIF said other factors, such as the anti-fraud campaign led by the industry, also played a significant role.