Dozens of drivers in Britain are holding valid driving licenses despite accumulating at least 30 penalty points, leading to calls for mandatory retraining for repeat offenders. Analysis of official figures by the PA news agency has revealed that more than 50 individuals have reached the 30-point mark. Shockingly, three male license holders have accumulated over 100 points each, with a 26-year-old driver amassing a staggering 176 points, while the woman with the highest points is a 50-year-old with 96 points.
Penalty points are typically issued for a range of road offenses, including driving without due care and attention, drink-driving, and speeding. Under the totting-up process, drivers face a six-month ban if they accumulate 12 or more points within a three-year period, unless they can prove to the court that a ban would result in exceptional hardship. However, a total of 10,056 drivers currently hold valid licenses despite having 12 or more points.
Nicholas Lyes, the director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, has raised concerns over the existing definition of exceptional hardship, highlighting the need for a review. He suggests that drivers with 12 or more points should be mandated to undergo additional training, even if they are allowed to retain their licenses due to exceptional hardship.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, as of September 14, show that some individuals have multiple driving convictions but are legally allowed to continue driving after serving a disqualification period. The DVLA records information provided by courts and does not influence sentencing decisions. The agency contacts courts where drivers reach the 12-point threshold but are not disqualified to verify the reasoning behind the decision.
Steve Gooding, director of the motoring research charity RAC Foundation, emphasises the importance of transparency in monitoring drivers who avoid bans and the reasons for allowing them to retain their licenses. Gooding believes that greater transparency could help strike a balance between personal mobility and collective safety, enhancing public confidence in the justice system.
The issue of drivers accumulating high numbers of penalty points renews the debate on road safety and the effectiveness of current penalties. With calls for re-evaluation of exceptional hardship provisions and increased scrutiny on repeat offenders, there is a growing push for measures to ensure safer roads for all motorists.