The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has revealed that more than 4,000 drivers in Britain are still legally allowed on the road despite accumulating at least 12 speeding points, the threshold for losing their licence. The RAC, which conducted the investigation, is urging the government to introduce mandatory speed-limiting technology for repeat and excessive speeders to prevent further offenses.
Current Rules and Exceptions
Under current law, drivers receive between three and six penalty points for speeding, depending on the severity of the offense. Points can also be issued for other motoring violations such as driving without due care, drink-driving, or using a handheld mobile phone. The totting-up process typically results in a six-month driving ban when a driver accumulates 12 or more points within three years, unless they can convince a court that a ban would cause exceptional hardship, such as losing their job or being unable to care for family members.
The DVLA figures show that 117 licence-holders have more than 20 points from speeding alone, including one individual with 45 points. These drivers have been allowed to continue driving by arguing exceptional hardship in court.
RAC Campaign for Speed-Limiting Devices
The RAC is backing a new campaign, Stop Excessive Speeders, which calls on the government to give courts the power to order offenders to have intervening intelligent speed assistance (IISA) devices fitted to their vehicles. These devices actively prevent a vehicle from exceeding the speed limit, unlike advisory ISA technology that only alerts drivers when they break the limit.
Research by the RAC indicates strong public support for mandating IISA devices for repeat speeders. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "It's very concerning that so many repeat speeders have been allowed to carry on driving despite amassing 12 points or more which would normally lead to them losing their licences. A better solution for people like this who have demonstrated a compelling need to the court to be allowed to continue driving would be for them to have devices fitted to their vehicles that prevent them speeding again. Our research identifies strong support among drivers for those who speed excessively to have these devices. We urge the government to consider giving courts the power to order repeat and excessive speeders to have intervening ISA devices fitted to all their vehicles. This will save lives and reduce the number of speed-related collisions on our roads."
Government Response
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Speeding is dangerous and drivers who accumulate 12 points will have their licence disqualified in all but exceptional circumstances. Courts are responsible for deciding whether a ban should not be imposed where exceptional hardship is established. Our road safety strategy sets out action to strengthen road safety enforcement, and we have recently consulted on changes to the motoring offences framework, including how penalty points, licence disqualification, licence suspension and vehicle seizure can be used effectively for the most serious offenders."
