The RAC backs calls for courts to have power to order speeding offenders to have special technology fitted to their vehicles
Some drivers caught speeding are still being allowed behind the wheel despite having racked up 45 points on their licence, it has emerged.
Under the law, anyone who accumulates 12 or more points on their driving licence in England and Wales within a three year period – often called totting up – faces an automatic ban of at least six months. However, in certain circumstances magistrates are allowed to use their discretion if they are convinced that a ban would cause “exceptional hardship”.
Motoring group the RAC used a Freedom of Information request from the DVLA to reveal that 4,154 drivers in the UK are still legally permitted to drive despite having crossed the threshold for losing their licence. Of those, 117 were still allowed to drive despite having collected more than 20 speeding points. At the extreme, two drivers have amassed 43 and 45 points on their licences but have been allowed by the courts to carry on driving as a ban would have caused exceptional hardship. The data also shows there are 101 drivers with 20 to 29 points and 14 with 30 to 39 points.
The RAC is supporting the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign which is calling for the government to give courts the power to order offenders to have to use technology fitted to their vehicles that prevents them from exceeding the speed limit again.
Known as Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance (IISA), it actively stops a vehicle from exceeding the speed limit, except in defined emergency override situations, which are logged so they can be reviewed. It differs from systems which are now fitted as standard to most new cars.
Research by the RAC found that almost nine in 10 drivers back new measures being introduced to target those who speed excessively. Similarly, research commissioned by the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign also highlights strong public support for the use of technology to help address the problem.
Simon Williams, the RAC’s head of policy, 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 – and for very good reason given that speeding is one of the leading factors in the most serious collisions on our roads.
“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 also identifies strong support among drivers for those who speed excessively to have 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 – something which completely aligns with the casualty reduction targets listed in the Road Safety Strategy.”
A spokesperson for the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign said: “Excessive speed remains one of the leading causes of death on our roads, and the public clearly recognises the need for action. :What our research shows is that people instinctively understand the link between tackling dangerous driving and saving lives.
“Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance is a practical, proportionate solution, targeting repeat offenders while allowing the vast majority of drivers to go about their daily lives without disruption.”
