Independent road safety charity, Brake, has called for tougher treatment for drivers who endanger lives by repeatedly breaking the law. The move has come after research carried out by Brake and insurance company, Direct Line, revealed that four in ten drivers who have clocked up 12 points on their licence are not being disqualified.

Normally drivers can expect a driving ban of at least six months when they reach 12 points but many are successfully exploiting a loophole to remain behind the wheel. The loophole, designed to allow those who would suffer 'exceptional hardship' if they were disqualified, has allowed one driver from Bradford to rack up an amazing 32 points having been caught driving uninsured four times, receiving eight points for each offence.

"We are asking the government to act quickly to address this appalling situation. Clearly when the points system was designed, it wasn't intended that nearly half of drivers with 12 points would evade disqualification," said Brake campaigns director, Julie Townsend. "It is outrageous these individuals, who rack up offence after offence, are allowed to continue driving, causing enormous risk to the public."

Having analysed data provided by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Brake and Direct Line estimate that 10,072 drivers, whose risky driving totted up 12 points or more, have kept their licences.

Paul Healy - 26 Oct 2011