A charity is demanding tougher treatment for drivers who endanger lives by repeatedly breaking the law. Research out today by Brake and Direct Line reveals 43% of out-of-control drivers across Britain who clock up 12 points are not being disqualified. This is despite breaking vital safety laws, such as driving uninsured, using a phone at the wheel and speeding − making our roads dangerous for the law-abiding public.

Brake and Direct Line analysed data provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and found that 10,072 drivers whose risky driving totted up 12 points or more have kept their licence and are still driving, while 13,449 drivers with 12 points or more are disqualified. London and the South East, Yorkshire and Humberside, and the North West, each have more than 1,000 of these potentially deadly drivers still on public roads.

Analysis of the worst drivers, with 25 points or more, shows that 13 have committed uninsured driving offences, while 13 have been given points for speeding or failing to identify the driver of the vehicle. Other offences include driving without due care and attention, mobile phone offences and defective vehicles.

Although 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'. This situation means a huge number of the riskiest drivers continue to plague our roads, able to cause crashes that could kill and maim, resulting in devastation to families and a significant burden on health and emergency services.

Brake and Direct Line can also reveal from the data the worst drivers still on the roads in Great Britain, the number of points they have, offences they have committed and which area they come.

Julie Townsend, Brake Campaigns Director, said: "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.

"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."

Andy Goldby, Director of Underwriting and Pricing at Direct Line, said: "It seems 'exceptional hardship' isn't that exceptional after all. Someone who has accumulated more than 12 points on their licence has shown a complete disrespect for the law. It sends out an entirely wrong message that these individuals are still allowed to drive.

"Drivers with points on their licence are statistically more likely to have a collision and the likelihood increases with the more points they have. The 'hardship' one of these drivers would feel with the removal of their licence is nothing compared to someone involved in a collision with one of them. The system is being abused and it needs to be stopped."

Brake is working with Julie Hilling MP to press the government to take action to stop relentless, dangerous offenders evading disqualification. On 13th September, Julie Hilling asked Kenneth Clarke, Justice Minister, to investigate why so many drivers with 12 points are keeping their licence and he agreed to do so (see here). As yet he has not reported progress or promised action to protect the public.

Julie Hilling, MP for Bolton West, said: "Dangerous driving is an enormous problem both locally and throughout the country. It appears to be persistent offenders that are the main culprits. It is vital that this issue is kept at the forefront and that Ministers take action to resolve this. I am pleased that the Justice Secretary has promised to investigate and I look forward to hearing the results of his findings."

Brake argues the number of drivers escaping bans makes a mockery of the justice system and the system of penalty points. This is particularly so in cases where drivers repeatedly evade bans, continuing to tot up points even after they have claimed 'exceptional hardship'. Incredibly, drivers who continue to tot up points can argue 'exceptional hardship' more than once to evade a ban for a second or third time.

Brake is calling on the government to end the discretion given to the courts which allows drivers to evade a ban by arguing 'exceptional hardship'. Brake is calling for automatic bans, as for drink-driving offences, when drivers reach 12 points, given that most drivers who reach 12 points have committed several dangerous offences, and had ample opportunity to amend their ways and drive within the law. It also wants the government to investigate and close administrative loopholes that could lead to drivers escaping a ban.

Brake is urging the public to write to their MP to ask them to put pressure on the Kenneth Clarke to get tough with bad drivers who repeatedly flout laws and put lives at risk.

 

Posted October 17th, 2011 at 1010 by Andrew. Comment by emailing: andrew.lynch@pavpub.com