Motorists outraged by 'soft' driving ban rules

If a motorist racks up 12 penalty points within a three-year period, then an automatic six-month ban is imposed.

That's how most of us understand the rules.

But DVLA figures, just released, show that there are over 10,000 drivers on the UK roads DESPITE having 12 penalty points on their license.

The 10,000 have been allowed to carry on driving due to "exceptional circumstances."

Many other road users believe that the courts should not be so lenient.

In fact, in a recent poll, The Guild of Experienced Motorists found that 80 per cent of UK drivers do not believe there should be any exceptions to the rule.

David Williams MBE CEO of GEM Motoring Assist, comments: “It is clear that the large majority of law abiding UK drivers are not happy that other motorists are getting away with dodging penalties by claiming ‘exceptional circumstances’.  Understandably there are certain cases that would warrant an appeal; however recent figures show just how many thousands of people are working the system and being let off.”

The Guild of Experienced Motorists was established in 1932 as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM’s aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members.

Mr Williams added: “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. Road safety is hugely compromised when so many motorists, not worthy of a licence, are still driving. 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.”

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