Pensioners have more penalty points than young drivers

Older drivers are taking risks and driving illegally, totting up more penalty points than younger drivers, according to a road safety charity, which added many should be banned from the roads.

There are more than 304,000 pensioners (over 66s) currently driving on UK roads with penalty points on their licence, nearly 25 times the number of young teenage drivers – of which there are just over 12,000 with penalty points.  

The findings, which came from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the DVLA by the UK’s largest independent road safety charity – IAM RoadSmart – also revealed that the oldest person driving with points on their licence was 102 while there are more than 3,000 over the age of 90 currently driving with penalty points. 

Overall, there are more drivers in their 30s with penalty points than any other age range (575,029), closely followed by those in their 40s (572,238) and then by those in their 50s (568,511). The highest single age with the greatest number of people with points was 49 (63,248). 

Additional findings from the FOI discovered that there is up to 8,800 people still driving with more than 12 points – the amount at which you are disqualified – while the highest number of penalty points currently held by one individual is 68.  

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy & Research, said: “The findings from our Freedom of Information request are surprising. Speeding and other motoring misdemeanours are often associated with younger drivers but the findings clearly show there is a large number of older drivers also flouting the rules. 

“Regardless of age, the message we need to get through is that road safety is paramount and we urge drivers of all ages to stick to the speed limits and ensure their vehicles are in a roadworthy condition. 

“We also urge government to urgently revisit the issue of drivers with more than 12 points who still have not had their licences revoked. IAM RoadSmart has been raising this issue for almost a decade now and the problem still persists. It’s not by chance that certain drivers amass 12 or more points and they need to be removed from the public roads. By letting them keep their licence it undermines the simple “four strikes and you’re out” message and this urgently needs to be addressed.”

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit: http://www.iamroadsmart.com

Four out of 10 households in the UK have used their car as an additional space to work, place to relax or even to catch up on TV shows during the pandemic, according to new research. The findings come after the Government announced a roadmap to easing lockdown, with all restrictions potentially removed as soon as 21^st June. 

The study of 2,000 drivers by Peugeot UK found 41 per cent of households with four or more people said they had started to use their car for other purposes than driving during Covid-19 lockdowns. With home schooling and remote working now the new normal for many, cars have taken up a new purpose, ranging from providing a relaxing refuge to acting as a remote office space.

When asked which activities drivers had turned to in their cars, more than half said finding a quiet place to relax away from others, while for 47 per cent their car became a place to catch up on TV shows, and 43 per cent used their cars as a place to read books. A third of respondents said they have used their car as a remote office for work.

With 58 per cent of respondents struggling to find time for themselves during lockdown, the car has become a place of peace and quiet, according to the research.

Peugeot UK also found 37 per cent of households said they would be more likely to use their car in this way if they owned a zero emissions-capable vehicle, that did not emit fumes when turned on, allowing them to keep warm or stay cool without idling an engine.

The Peugeot e-2008 is the latest full electric car to join Peugeot’s growing electric range. With a 206-mile range under WLTP testing, it meets the needs of both fleet and private users looking for a capable zero emissions vehicle. Peugeot has committed to offering electrified variants across its entire line-up by 2025.

Julie David, Managing Director, said, “Cars have always played a variety of roles in our lives, and the pandemic has shown how helpful they can be as quiet, comfortable places to relax, call friends or work remotely. Electric vehicles like the e-2008 take this one step further, with their silent, zero emissions powertrains making them a self-sufficient, climate-controlled sanctuary away from our often hectic homes – complete with built-in hands-free phone connectivity.”

As part of its new brand identity, the firm is demonstrating its commitment to turn time into quality time by creating a new website, set to launch in March, which makes interacting with the brand even easier. Already, the brand’s Buy Online web portal allows motorists to configure, order and even set up a finance plan for their next Peugeot, all from the comfort of their own home, or indeed parked car.