Elaine Keogh watched gardai implementing the new penalty points in the Louth- Meath division - home to some of the country's most dangerous roads
The introduction of the penalty points appeared to have an immediate impact on motorists in the Louth/Meath Garda division.
With four national primary routes, the Border and heavy goods traffic, it has the unenviable record of having the most dangerous roads in the country. Last year 56 fatalities - 14 per cent of all fatal road traffic accidents in the country - happened here.
Gardaí have long said that speed is the main factor in serious and fatal road accidents. Yesterday morning the Garda traffic corps waited a long time to find a motorist breaking the speed limit.
It was close to 10 o'clock before the woman driver, who was doing 45 mph in a 30 mph zone in Kilsaran village, was detected.
Gardaí Paul Carrigy and John O'Flaherty knew that the brightly marked jeep they were standing beside meant their presence was clear to one and all but were taken aback at the way motorists were staying so well within the speed limit.
The young woman, who was issued with her fixed penalty ticket fining her €80 and two penalty points was, to say the least, mortified at being caught. It was her first time getting a speeding ticket and when she was reminded of the penalty points, she was speechless.
Garda Carrigy believes the penalty points will work because they will affect everyone detected and not just those involved in accidents.
"We see the driving behaviour and patterns of people in this country and they seem to be reasonable people in their offices or at their workplace but the minute they get behind the wheel of a car their behaviour changes.
"When for example you stop them for a speeding offence they seem to be oblivious to having done anything wrong. For most a monetary penalty seems to have little impact but it is only the thought of going to court and losing their driving licence and if they have no licence they have no work - that point seems to bring it home more than the possibility of being injured or killed on the road," he added.
The majority of motorists agreed with him. One young woman driving a commercial van said the points system would work because "it is going to make a big difference to the roads in Ireland.
"There seem to be cameras on the roads and there are still an awful lot of accidents, whereas now people will be more cautious about what could happen to them. We all have to look after our licence."
"I think it is good and should improve road safety because if it hits your insurance and you get an automatic ban and your licence endorsed it will make people think," said a male motorist.
Garda Insp Gerry O'Brien, the officer overseeing Operation Lifesaver in the Louth/Meath Garda division said motorists seemed to have slowed down yesterday.
"The experience in this division today is people have already taken on board that two penalty points go on their licence."