21pts — and driver still on the road

AN Oldham motorist is still behind the wheel despite totting up a staggering 21 penalty points.

The culprit is top of the list of borough’s worst dangerous, lawbreaking drivers who have far exceeded the 12-point limit but escaped a driving ban.

Although the nature of this individual’s offences hasn’t been revealed, endorsements are handed out for a range of motoring offences including speeding, driving without due care and attention and without insurance.

A total of 72 Oldham motorists with 12 points — the amount at which disqualification can be endorsed — or more are still behind the wheel. Other drivers on the role of shame published by Brake, an independent road safety charity - include four with 18 and 16 points and eight with 15 points.

Though drivers can expect a ban of at least six months when they reach 12 points, many are successful in pleading that being disqualified would cause “exceptional hardship”.

Brake is demanding urgent action to hand out tougher sentences for motorists who endanger lives as research reveals 43 per cent of 12 point drivers across Britain aren’t disqualified.

They argue the system allows a huge number of the riskiest drivers to continue to plague our roads, causing crashes that could kill and maim.

Brake campaigns director, Julie Townsend, said: “We are asking the Government to act quickly to address this appalling situation. It is outrageous these individuals, who rack up offence after offence, are allowed to continue driving, causing enormous risk to the public.”

Among Britain’s worst penalty-point drivers is one from Manchester, still on the road after amassing five driving while uninsured convictions, and a motorist from Bradford with 32 points - the country’s highest figure.