Drivers could be given the option to pay a double fine to avoid a court appearance in penalty point cases, under new rules.

The Irish Examiner reports the Government is considering the move to cut down on the amount of people avoiding penalty points in court.

On average 77% of drivers who recieved summonses were not convicted, with many claiming they never recieved the penalty points notice.

The option of a double payment would arrive with the summons, cutting out this excuse for many.

A memo is due to be brought to Cabinet tomorrow which would allow drivers summonsed for not paying a fine to avoid court.

It is understood that Justice Minster Frances Fitzgerald, Transport Minister Shane Ross, and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Pashcal Donohoe have been working on the measures in a bid to combat the thousands of drivers who avoid penalty points each year.

Currently, those who do not pay the fixed-charge fines within 56 days receive a court summons.

However, less than one in four of those brought to court receive a conviction and the Government is now hoping to activate this “third option” to tackle the issue.

Between January 2013 and March 2015, more than 147,000 drivers received summonses, but were not convicted, according to Court Service figures.

On average, 77% of drivers who appeared in court did not receive convictions, however, in Kerry the number of people who were not convicted was as high as 89%.

Many drivers have been able to avoid prosecution by claiming in court that they never received the penalty points notice.

As fixed-term notices are sent by regular post and are not registered, it can be difficult to prove whether the driver has received their penalty points or not.

This third payment option would aim to rectify this by, it is believed, arriving along with the summons. Motorists will have the option of paying the increased fine or going to court where they cannot use the excuse that they had not received the fine. It is already provided for under section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, but has yet to be commenced.

The memo is among a number due to come before Cabinet tomorrow.

This story first appeared in today’s Irish Examiner.