REVEALED: Nearly 9,000 drivers IGNORE road bans
NEARLY 9,000 drivers are on the roads legally despite having more than 12 points on their licence.
Nearly 9,000 motorists with 12 points on their licence are still legally on the roads
And two have clocked up an amazing 51 points each, new figures reveal.
The total is up 24.8 per cent on last year, with the two 51-point drivers clocking up the equivalent of being caught speeding 17 times.
The current law says that once a driver is given 12 points, the licence should be revoked.
But lenient magistrates have the power to withhold a ban if it can be shown that it would cause “exceptional hardship”.
The law says that drivers who have 12 points or more, should have their licence revoked
The figures were released to insurer esure under the Freedom of Information Act.
It is astonishing that some drivers could get so many points and still not be disqualified
Jon Wilshire, chief underwriting officer at esure said:"When the points system was introduced, totting up twelve points was likely to trigger a driving ban and this was designed to deter motorists from repetitively breaking the law.
"While there will be cases where a ban could cause exceptional hardship - such as losing a job as a consequence of losing a licence - it is astonishing that some drivers could get so many points and still not be disqualified.
The ban can be withheld however if it would cause 'exceptional hardship' such as loss of job
The figures were released to insurer esure under the Freedom of Information Act
"If drivers continue to flout the law then there need to be clear consequences.
"Driving safely not only guards you against getting points on your licence but also keeps drivers, passengers and other road users safe."