Penalty points issued to over 7,000 motorists in Westmeath

Penalty points for motoring offences have been issued to 7,299 people in Westmeath - more than 9% of the county"s population. However, a recent study of the penalty points issued in 29 cities and counties ranked Westmeath 21st, indicating that motorists in the Lake County may be safer than most. Roscommon was ranked 18th on the penalty points table after 5,809 people - just under 10% of the county"s population - picked up points. Of the midlands counties, Offaly had the highest rate of motoring offences with penalties issued to 8,316 people, or 11.7% of the county"s population. Nationally, Kildare had the highest rate of penalty points (which went to 14.7% of its population), while Mayo was bottom of the list with just 7.4% of its population penalised. Speeding was the most common offence for which penalty points were issued, though since the beginning of May points have been issued for a number of new offences such as: Using a vehicle without test certificate, driving a vehicle before remedying dangerous defect, driving a dangerously defective vehicle and using a vehicle without certificate of roadworthiness.