An increasing number of drivers are risking prosecution by illegally ‘swapping’ their penalty points for offences such as speeding, with their partner, a friend or family member in a bid to keep their driving licence clean. A new report by car insurer Direct Line reveals that 660,000 motorists (2 per cent) have persuaded their nearest and dearest to falsely take responsibility for their penalty points in order to avoid having the points added to their own licence. The number of people admitting to ‘point swapping’ has risen by a third over the past three years, from 495,000 motorists (1.5 per cent) in 2007. However, many of these motorists have chanced falling foul of the law by swapping points in order to maintain a completely clean and points-free licence, rather than resorting to points swapping when they already have a number of penalty points and are at risk of losing their licence. Over half (61 per cent) of the motorists who have engaged in points swapping – 388,080 – still have a points-free driving licence, which equates to 1.2 per cent of the motoring population. According to Direct Line’s internal data, 16 per cent of drivers have points on their licence. This research therefore suggests that one in eight of those drivers with points on their licence (2 per cent of all motorists) have actually taken the points on behalf of another driver. More
(AD Comment ~ Many of those currently driving and have pushed the points to another person`s licence, in some cases could cause more of a danger to others on the road with their driving.)
County Durham man banned from driving after cyclist reported seeing pet being dragged along country lane. A dog owner too lazy to walk his pet has lost his driving licence after getting caught walking the animal while driving his car. Paul Railton, 23, of County Durham, had wound down the window of his Nissan Navara to exercise his lurcher when police caught him. Officers reported seeing him driving at 5mph along a country lane. Yesterday, at Consett magistrates court, Railton pleaded guilty to not being in proper control of a vehicle. Sharon Lowrie, prosecuting, said a cyclist alerted police that two men were dragging a dog along from a car. She said: “The driver was hanging on to the dog’s lead through the driver window, approaching a blind summit.” Railton was told to put the dog in the back of the car and was allowed to go, but five days later police turned up at his home to charge him. A police statement read out to the court said that “due to the narrow road there was no area for other cars to pass ng pet being dragged along country lane. More
(AD Comment ~ An unusual way to lose your licence.)
Motoring organisations have reported that most drivers believe that their new style licence is for life and that is has not been publicised that the licence actually expires after a set period and has to be renewed. The first batch of ten year photo licences was issued in July 1998 and the confusion has only just come to light as they start to expire. The DVLA figures reveal that 16,136 licences expired last year and only 11,566 drivers have renewed, 300 000 more photocard licences are due to expire by the end of this year. The new style photocard licences are not very clear showing the expiry date, the small print below the drivers name is a numbered series of dates and details. Number 4b features a date but the significance is explained only if the card is turned over where the key on the back states that 4b relates to ‘licence valid to’. More
(AD Suggests ~ Always keep a check on the dates on your licence. To save hastle why don`t the DVLA send a reminder pack/letter prompting the licence holder to renew)
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