MORE THAN 26,000 people in Gwent are driving with penalty points, according to research from car insurance dealer esure.

The statistics, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, also show that 68 people are legally driving with 12 or more penalty points in the area while three drivers are on legally on the roads with 18 penalty points.

National figures show a 25 per cent rise in the number of drivers with 12 or more points who are still allowed to drive.

More than 2.8 million motorists currently have points on their licence, with the vast majority receiving them for speeding.

Points were also given for failing to comply with traffic lights or signs , careless driving, failing to stop at an accident, driving without insurance, drink-driving, dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs.

More than 1.5 million people have admitted taking points on someone else’s behalf, with around 360,160[i drivers claiming they ‘couldn’t remember who was driving’ when the points were issued.

The most common reason for drivers taking points was to protect someone who they feared may have lost their job as a result of getting points.

Current regulations specify that if a motorist clocks up 12 points on their licence they have to attend court and can expect a ban of at least six months.

But magistrates are allowed to be lenient if the motorist can show having their licence taken away will cause them ‘exceptional hardship’.

Courts can therefore use discretion to decide whether or not to disqualify a driver.

Jon Wilshire, Chief Underwriting Officer at esure said, “When the points system was introduced, totting up twelve points was likely to trigger a driving ban and this was designed to deter motorists from repetitively breaking the law.

"While there will be cases where a ban could cause exceptional hardship – such as losing a job as a consequence of losing a licence – it is astonishing that some drivers could get so many points and still not be disqualified.

"If drivers continue to flout the law then there need to be clear consequences.

"Driving safely not only guards you against getting points on your licence but also keeps drivers, passengers and other road users safe.“