DODGY drivers, who have clocked up the 12 points needed to be handed a motoring ban, are still on Dunstable’s roads.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that 10 Dunstable drivers have managed to escape a ban despite racking up enough endorsements for a range of motoring offences such as breaking speed limits and using a mobile phone while driving.
County-wide, there are 110 motorists who have gained at least a dozen endorsements for motoring offences.
It is unclear how many have been handed more than 12 penalty points, with reports that drivers in some areas are still being allowed on the road with as many as 30 on their licence. Regionally, 28 drivers have 20 or more points.
Road safety charity Brake has demanded tougher punishments for poor drivers after research revealed that more than 40 per cent of motorists with 12 points or more are being let off a ban.
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.”
Generally, drivers are supposed to be handed a six month ban if they exceed 12 points within the space of three years, a year-long ban if a driver gets a second ban within three years and a two year ban if disqualified for a third time.Bans are avoided if the courts accept a submission that a disqualification will cause exceptional hardship.
> Do you think motorists with more than 12 points should be taken off the roads? Have you been affected by bad driving? Let us know, our contact details are on page 2.
