The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has responded to the publication of new data highlighting the considerable number of UK drivers that flout the law by having other people take points on their licence after committing a motoring offence.

Following a freedom of information (FOI) request by price comparison site Confused.com, the government has revealed there are approximately 70,000 UK road users holding a licence with nine points at present, meaning one three-point infraction could see them banned from driving.

Meanwhile, research carried out by the company also revealed the extent to which drivers are breaking the law by asking others – and in some cases paying them – to take points for them.

Overall, one in 16 drivers admitted to asking a friend or relative to take points on their licence for an offence they had not committed, while five per cent of respondents admitted to paying somebody to do so.

The most common reasons given by people who said they had done this in the past were wanting to keep a clean licence (48 per cent) and that not doing so would mean they would be banned (25 per cent).

Out of those who said they had asked or paid others to take points for them in the past, almost two-thirds (59 per cent) said they had done this on three or more occasions.

Overall, the majority of people who said they had received points they wished to palm off to somebody else said they were for speeding offences (80 per cent).

Responding to the research, the IAM revealed it is now essential for authorities to crack down hard on this illegal practice, as failing to do so is leading to individuals who should be taken off the roads being still able to drive.

This is a particularly dangerous situation given the fact that the FOI request showed a significant proportion of people who get their points to be taken by others are repeat offenders.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the IAM, commented: "It's appalling and rather concerning that so many people are paying others to take their penalty points.

"Not only is this putting other road users at risk of bans, it also means drivers who are prone to speeding remain on the roads when they could well be facing bans.

"As well as tightening up fraud detection, more education and retraining courses covering a wider range of traffic offences would make our roads safer for everyone."

However, Gemma Stanbury, head of motor insurance at Confused.com, warned drivers: "The police are aware that there are drivers on the roads who are illegally swapping points, and motorists should remember that the police have direct access to DVLA data where they can look at anyone’s driving record to compare photos.

"It can be easy for the police to match photos using DVLA information and to ascertain whether the person taking points is the vehicle's driver."

There are a wide range of offences that can lead to individuals picking up points on their licence and it is therefore essential for all vehicle operators to be aware of what is allowed and what is not when taking to the roads.

Penalty points – also known as endorsements – can be awarded for varying degrees of seriousness when infringing road traffic laws, with all points staying on a person's licence for a minimum of four years.

They relate to things like leaving the scene of an accident (between five and ten points depending upon severity) to driving while disqualified (six points).

Other offences include careless driving (three to nine points), reckless or dangerous driving (three to 11 points), drink/drug-driving (three to 11 points) or failing to hold the proper licence for the vehicle in use (three to six points).

Ms Stanbury concluded: "Incurring multiple sets of penalty points can result in motoring fines, increased insurance premiums and even disqualification from driving, so motorists should always drive safely and responsibly when on the roads."

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