MOTORISTS with more than 12 penalty points on their licence are still legally driving despite many committing multiple offences, The Northern Echo can reveal.

The top ten worst offenders in County Durham have 163 points and 32 offences between them - according to a Freedom of Information request obtained by The Northern Echo. But all of them have kept their entitlement to drive.

A 43-year-old man from Stanley is top of the list with 19 points, including ten for failing to stop after an accident just eight months ago.

And one Bishop Auckland driver, 49, who has 15 points, was caught speeding four times in eight weeks earlier this year.

Other offenders include:

* A 40-year-old man from Durham with 18 points after failing to give a driver’s identity twice in four months and driving with no insurance.

* A man, 68, from Durham, with 15 points after committing three offences including permitting an uninsured person to drive and speeding.

* A 30-year-old woman from Seaham who committed three offences in five months, including driving without insurance and speeding - worth 16 points.

Road safety campaigners have said these drivers “make a mockery of the system”.

Philip Goose, senior community engagement officer at Brake, said: “Penalty points exist to protect the public by taking dangerous repeat offenders off the road, while giving drivers who have made a mistake a chance to change their driving behaviour.

“Drivers who consistently flout the law should be punished accordingly.

“There are also serious issues around some of the current penalties for driving offences.

“If you hit and kill someone under the influence of drink or drugs, you face up to 14 years in jail. But if you flee the scene and wait to sober up, you’ll most likely be charged with ‘hit and run’ and face a maximum six months.”

Drivers face a temporary ban if they accumulate 12 points on their licence over a three-year period.

The DVLA said it is responsible for providing drivers’ convictions to courts, but does not query why a motorist has not been banned if they exceed the 12-point limit.

Magistrates can use their discretion to avoid bans in exceptional circumstances, although this should only be applied in a small percentage of cases.