The vast majority of drivers want to see much higher fines and tougher enforcement to tackle the subculture of drivers who repeatedly flout laws and get away with it.
A survey by the charity Brake and Direct Line has revealed nearly eight in ten drivers (78%) are in favour of fines of £200 or more for traffic offences such as speeding, using a mobile phone, or careless driving: more than double the potential increase to £90 set out in recent government proposals. Half of those surveyed (47%) think fines should be £500 or more.
Drivers are also fed up with habitual offenders, who use loopholes to keep their licence. More than three in four (78%) think it's wrong that some drivers who tot up 12 points are allowed to dodge a ban under an 'exceptional hardship' clause. In October 2011, Brake revealed that more than 10,000 drivers in England and Wales were driving with 12 points or more on their licence.