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New Survey Ranks Ireland's Best Drivers, And Dublin Is Far Behind...

By Louise Ducrocq
09/10/2026
Est. Reading: 2 minutes

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Louth has been named home to Ireland's best drivers, while Dublin motorists have landed outside the top five in a new county-by-county ranking of penalty points.

Research by car insurance provider Quote Devil analysed Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Central Statistics Office (CSO) data across all 26 counties, comparing the proportion of licensed drivers with active penalty points and the number of penalty point notices issued per 1,000 drivers.

Louth came out on top, with just 10.91% of its 102,343 licensed drivers holding active penalty points. Leitrim ranked second, followed by Donegal, Cork and Roscommon.


Dublin ranked tenth, with 13.29% of licensed drivers holding active points. At the other end of the table, Wexford recorded the highest proportion, with more than one in five drivers (21.43%) having penalty points on their licence.

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The figures come as road safety remains a serious concern across Ireland. Provisional Garda figures show that 144 people have died on Irish roads so far in 2026, compared with 120 during the same period last year.

While penalty points offer one measure of driving offences, the figures do not necessarily tell the whole story about how safely people drive. However, they provide a reminder of the importance of responsible behaviour behind the wheel.

Radio Nova is putting its own platform behind that message as one of 21 independent radio stations taking part in a nationwide road safety initiative.

Over the coming year, Radio Nova will produce and broadcast bespoke road safety content for its listeners, featuring practical advice, expert insight and real-life experiences to help raise awareness among road users.

 

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Across all 21 participating stations, the campaign will deliver more than 1,200 pieces of content, including over 100 documentary and discussion programmes and around 1,100 shorter feature episodes.

The wider initiative will also include first-hand accounts from people who attend road collisions and support those affected, alongside information and analysis from An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority and local authorities.

Radio is an important way to reach motorists, with 41% of radio listening in Ireland taking place in vehicles. By bringing road safety information directly to listeners, the campaign aims to encourage safer decisions on journeys across the country.

Follow the initiative here.

The project is supported by the News Reporting Scheme, which helps fund public interest journalism through Coimisiún na Meán and the Exchequer.

Radio Nova will continue to broadcast its own road safety features, using its reach across Dublin and the surrounding counties to share useful information and real-life stories with listeners.

Louise Ducrocq

Written by Louise Ducrocq

Louise is an expert content creator, and online author for Radio Nova. She's evolved in a few different fields, including mental health and travel, and is now excited to be part of the wonderful word of Radio.

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