Fuel card news

Motorists with 12 points on licence pose risk to road users

Published: 31/01/2012

Fleet drivers could be facing unnecessary dangers on UK roads as an increasing number of motorists with 12 points on their license are able to drive on the UK’s highways.

According to figures provided by the DLVA, over 10,000 motorists in the UK are driving despite having racked up 12 points for various misdemeanours. These drivers are statistically shown to be more likely to encounter an accident.

Such accidents can in turn lead to traffic congestion and diversions that result in further fuel consumption amongst haulage firms.

With the government eager to ensure the UK road network runs as smoothly as possible, the leninency offered to some drivers with 12 points on their licence is proving counter productive.

In these instances, drivers can cite special circumstances like a job that relies on road travel, as reason for leninency.

However, the introduction of such rules creates an imbalance in the system, with some drivers seemingly above the 12 point cut off.

Road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist is one organisation calling for a change to the system. A poll by the breakdown firm revealed that 80 per cent of people surveyed believe there should be no exceptions to the rule.

Commenting on the findings, GEM chief executive David Williams MBE said: "It is very worrying from a road safety perspective to see how many motorists are still on the roads despite being penalised for dangerous driving, speeding and other traffic offences.

"To make our roads as safe as possible, we need to ensure bans and penalties are taken seriously and only in the most exceptional circumstances should drivers be allowed to keep their licence."