Potentially dangerous drivers still on the road
DOZENS of “dangerous drivers” are still on the roads in Hyndburn, despite racking up enough points for a ban.
Analysis of DVLA data reveals that 57 drivers in the borough have managed to dodge a ban after being given 12 or more penalty points on their licence - the usual threshold for losing a licence.
Road safety charity Brake has slammed the current system, which it says is allowing “repeat offenders” to exploit loopholes in the law.
It has accused the Government and courts of being “complicit” in putting the public at risk.
Currently, if a driver can convince a magistrate that they, or an innocent party such as a family member, will face ‘exceptional hardship’ as a result of losing their licence they may be permitted to keep it. In Hyndburn the highest number of points received by one driver who is still allowed to drive is 30.
Oswaldtwistle county councillor Peter Britcliffe has called for new measures to be introduced.
He said: “I think quite a few people will be shocked to hear that somebody with 30 points on their licence can still be allowed to drive on our roads.
“You would have thought that when they reach that stage they would receive a warning that one more incident and they would lose their licence.”
Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at Brake, said it is “hugely concerning” that so many offenders are being allowed to keep driving.
He continued: “By ignoring the exploitation of the ‘exceptional hardship’ loophole that allows unsafe drivers to remain on our roads, the Government and courts are complicit in increasing the risk to the public.
“This dangerous loophole must be dealt with as a matter of urgency so that drivers who reach 12 points are automatically disqualified, protecting the general public from harm.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The vast majority of drivers who get 12 penalty points are automatically disqualified. The courts have access to DVLA records which are taken into account, but sentencing is rightly a matter for independent judges based on the facts of each case.”
John Bache, chair of the Magistrates Association, added: “The process for establishing exceptional hardship is robust.”