Road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist is calling for a renewed focus to rid the UK’s roads of its most dangerous and persistent offenders. This, says GEM, would have an immediate and significant impact on the current rising trend in road casualties, as well as demonstrating a commitment to protecting vulnerable road users.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE said: “Identifying and sanctioning those drivers who pose unacceptably high risks is vital if we are once again to see reductions in the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads. Whether they are disqualified, uninsured, or simply demonstrate a flagrant disregard for the rules, there should be no place for them on our roads.

“The mechanisms are in place to deal with these high-end offenders, but it is frustrating that the dwindling number of road policing officers often makes this very difficult.

“We also urge magistrates to think about the safety message they are sending when they cave in to pleas of ‘exceptional hardship’ and choose not to impose a six-month ban on a driver who has accumulated 12 penalty points.

“Using our roads is not an automatic right for an individual, and must always come with responsibilities. With effective enforcement and consistent, tough sentencing for the worst offenders, we would see a worthwhile deterrent in place and a safer road environment for everyone.”