Almost 1300 drivers still on roads despite receiving 12 points or more, Liberal Democrats reveal
The Liberal Democrats have today revealed that 1278 drivers with 12 points or more on their record are still behind the wheel and called for an examination of whether persistent offenders are being properly dealt with.
Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson Sarah Olney has warned Ministers that people’s safety is at risk and said, “it’s important that repeat offenders and dangerous drivers are kept off the roads.”
With a fall in car use because of the Government’s efforts to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, the Liberal Democrats believe that the UK Government should address dangerous drivers before the lockdown is lifted.
Figures acquired by the Liberal Democrats from the DVLA through freedom of information reveal that:
- 1,024,489 drivers in the UK currently have points on their licence.
- 1278 drivers currently still on the road have 12 or more points on their licence.
- The highest number of points held by a single driver is 68.
Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson Sarah Olney said:
For the safety of everyone driving on our roads, it’s important that repeat offenders and dangerous drivers are kept off the roads.
It’s possible that there are mitigating factors in some cases which justify these drivers hanging on to their right to drive. But if we are honest, if you have racked up a dozen points, you are probably a bad driver.
The UK Government should examine whether the right systems are in place to put the brakes on problem drivers. With fewer drivers on the road than ever before, now is the time to consider what can be done.
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2 Comments
But if we are honest, if you have racked up a dozen points, you are probably a bad driver.
I take it from this that Sarah doesn’t do very much driving and hasn’t kept up with speed detection technology.
12 points is only 1 speeding offence a year. On my regular daily journey’s I typically pass 4 speed cameras and pass through 2 average speed zones. I suspect that the majority of those 1278 drivers will have speeding points and not points from more serious offences.
I am surprised at the very small number of drivers (less than .0013% of drivers with points on their licence) with more than 12 points on their licence and still legally able to drive.
Personally, I am more concerned about those who have no licence for whatever reason and continue to drive. Naturally, the numbers of these drivers is unknown, so no figure that can be waved about to get people excited.
Speeding is a crime, not something that can be waved away as “oh thre’s a lot more detection nowadays” . On my journeys on a country A road I see many instances of dangerous overtaking ( double whites, blind bends etc) when I’m doing the speed limit. And plenty of really rubbish driving. If all the speed merchants were off the road, then life would be a bit better for the law abiding majority.
The licence to drive, is just that, a recognition that you are sufficiently responsible and competent to be in charge of 3tonne 90mph machine. It should be taken away when it’s proved you are not. 12 points does exactly that.
As to those driving with no license, insurance, etc. ? Lock them up.