An analysis of penalty points statistics undertaken by Continental Tyre Group shows that only 231 motorists in Ireland have been given penalty points for driving on tyres below the 1.6mm legal tread limit.
This compares with the company's studies which show that one in six vehicles on Irish roads are being driven with at least one tyre on or below the legal limit.
Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland says that an average of just 10 motorists per month detected with dangerously low tread depth is, by any standards, 'a woeful level of enforcement' that is 'truly worrying'.
