Thousands dodge 12-point driving ban

Thousands of motorists with more than 12 penalty points on their licence managed to escape a driving ban last year thanks to the leniency of the courts.

Over 10,000 drivers who were due a 12-month ban were let off by magistrates, including one 27-year-old from Teeside who had amassed an astonishing 54 points – more than four times the maximum permitted under the rules.