Reckless driving hotspots revealed: The UK’s worst offenders urged to prioritise safety this Christmas 

New data reveals that Bexleyheath, Braintree, and Welwyn Garden City are among the UK areas with the highest percentage of drivers holding points on their licences, highlighting a concerning trend of traffic violations in commuter-heavy regions.

This is according to a new report by used car specialists, Available Car. Based on multiple Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the DVLA and an analysis of full license holders across the UK by postal town, the report uncovers the extent of reckless driving.

In Bexleyheath, southeast London, over one in four drivers (26.80%) have points on their licence. As a busy commuter hub with dense traffic and a challenging road network, the pressures of city driving and increasing Low Emission Zone regulations may be contributing factors.

Similarly, commuter towns like Braintree and Hayes rank among the top five, with congestion, rush-hour traffic, and heavy vehicle volumes likely worsening driving infractions.

Dunfermline, Scotland, also stands out with its proximity to Edinburgh. High volumes of through traffic combined with a mix of historic and modern roads may contribute to elevated points, alongside regional differences in enforcement practices.

As the Christmas season approaches and roads become busier, this data serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of safe driving to avoid adding to these statistics.

From being under the influence to careless and inconsiderate driving to operating an uninsured vehicle, there are several ways you could get points added to your licence.

As the festive season approaches, roads across the UK grow increasingly busy with people travelling to see loved ones, attend events, and complete last-minute shopping. This surge in traffic coincides with a rise in potential driving hazards, making safe driving more critical than ever.

In addition to postal towns, the report also exposes the regions with the most dangerous, law-breaking drivers.

While London holds the highest number of licence holders overall, including those with points, Yorkshire and the Humber, the South West, and the East Midlands surpass the capital in the percentage of drivers with points on their licences. These regions combined have almost 537,467 offenders holding points for unlawful road use in the UK.

Yorkshire and the Humber stands out as a region with a challenging driving environment, blending busy urban hubs like Leeds and Sheffield with rural roads and major motorways. The diversity of road types presents risks, from congestion-related issues in cities to speeding violations on quieter rural roads. The region’s weather—often foggy, wet, or snowy during winter—further compounds these risks, contributing to more accidents and licence points.

In contrast, Scotland boasts the UK’s safest drivers, with less than 5% of licence holders accumulating points. Argyllshire leads the way, where only 1,637 of the 38,735 registered drivers have points, setting a standard for responsible driving.

The research also revealed the most common driving offence across the UK is exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road and, followed by exceeding the statutory speed limit on motorways and no insurance.

See the full research here: https://www.availablecar.com/news/britains-most-reckless-drivers/