The total was among the highest outside London as offences show ‘repeated risky driving behaviour over time’
A general view of a man driving(Image: Geber86)
More drivers in Birmingham have been banned from the roads for totting up driving offences than almost anywhere outside London, new figures show.
More than 4,000 city motorists were banned for accumulating 12 points on their licence in the three years to last year. Outside the capital, only Leeds recorded a higher total.
They were among a total of more than 163,000 UK drivers removed from the roads under the ‘totting-up’ process in the years covered by the data, analysed by Scrap Car Comparison.
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Matt Clamp, customer service manager at Scrap Car Comparison, said: “Avoiding a licence ban through the totting-up process comes down to consistent, conscious safe driving – rather than just trying to dodge penalties.
“Many drivers don’t realise how quickly points can add up: from speeding a few miles over the limit, to glancing at a mobile device at the wrong moment. These offences may seem minor on their own, but they paint a picture of repeated risky driving behaviour over time.
Staying within speed limits, resisting distractions, and using hands-free systems where necessary are all straightforward steps drivers can follow that make a big difference.
“Ultimately, driving with care isn’t just about avoiding lots of penalty points in a short space of time – it’s about protecting yourself and others every single time you’re behind the wheel.”
Points are issued following convictions for road offences, such as driving without due care and attention (three to nine points), drink-driving (three to 11 points), and speeding (three to six points).
Under the totting-up process, drivers are usually banned for six months if they receive 12 or more points within a three-year period, unless they convince a court this would result in exceptional hardship, which could relate to their ability to work or care for their family.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, drivers located in London made up the biggest proportion of disqualified individuals at 15,919. The number of disqualified drivers in London added up to more than Wales and Scotland’s combined total of 11,071 motorists.