8,090 drivers put off roads in first half of year
In excess of 8,000 drivers have been banned from the roads this year, Department of Transport figures show.
The sharp increase is believed to be related to increased enforcement by gardaí.
The figures show that more than 8,000 motorists were disqualified from driving in the first six months of the years, compared with just under 11,000 for the whole of 2018.
Fraction
Only a fraction of these, or 9.2%, have surrendered their licence. A total of 744 people handed in their licence, which is required under the law after a driving ban.
Official statistics show that 8,090 drivers were disqualified this year either in court or by reaching the penalty point threshold for an automatic ban.
In 2018, 10,996 drivers were banned and 15 per cent surrendered their licence.