Drivers who routinely flout the nation’s motoring laws should receive harsher treatment when they rack up 12 points on their license, road safety charity Brake has argued.
Research by Brake and Direct Line shows that 43% of drivers across Britain who clock up 12 points are not being disqualified. And while drivers can expect a ban of at least six months when they reach 12 points, many are successfully pleading that being disqualified would cause 'exceptional hardship'. Motorists who can prove to the court that they might lose their job without a licence have been known to avoid suspension.
Now Brake is urging the government to toughen up and enforce automatic motoring bans when drivers reach 12 points, much like those given for drink-driving offences.
"We are asking the government to act quickly to address this appalling situation. Clearly when the points system was designed, it wasn't intended that nearly half of drivers with 12 points would evade disqualification. It is outrageous these individuals, who rack up offence after offence, are allowed to continue driving, causing enormous risk to the public,” said Julie Townsend, Brake Campaigns Director.
"Drivers who repeatedly flout traffic laws have shown complete disregard for the lives of other road users. They have also had ample opportunity to desist breaking the law before reaching 12 points and facing disqualification. It's time for the government to get tough with these selfish, irresponsible and potentially deadly drivers, and put a stop to their illegal and dangerous driving before it results in a devastating crash."
According to data provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) 10,072 drivers with 12 points or more have kept their licence and are still driving.