We all know someone who has racked up a few points on their driving licence, whether it’s a family member of that boy racer mate whose car you always avoid getting in at all costs.
However, it would seem many of our preconceptions about the so-called ‘worst’ drivers are completely misguided, according to a study carried out by confused.com.
Researching Britain’s motorists using Freedom of Information requests to the DVLA, the finance and insurance company found that there are over 2.66 million drivers with points on their licences in the UK.
Even more interestingly, the data seemed to show that despite the relatively common perception that either younger or older people are perhaps not the safest of drivers, neither of these groups ranked highest on the list of those with driving offences. It was, in fact, middle-aged drivers.
Middle-aged drivers commit the most offences
That’s right, despite those who have only recently passed their test or more senior drivers often being perceived as the biggest liabilities on the road, the most common age bracket was 30 to 34, with approximately 6,522 per 100,000 drivers (6.52%) having been given points on their licence.
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Credit: Wikimedia Commons
35-39 came in second with 6,397 and 40-44 came in third with 6,345.
Conversely – and while they obviously haven’t been on the road as long as others – it was found that those under 19 had the least offences; by some distance as well, with just 352 points per 100,000 drivers.
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While drivers with provisional licences may be included in this figure, it’s still worth noting. Moreover, the oldest age group (95 and over) with 2,186 drivers aged 95 and over per 100,000 (2.19%) having been penalised.
Once again, there are obviously far fewer drivers within this age group and making less journeys but as you can see in the full report, motorists with the most penalty points tend to bunch up between the ages of 30 and 59.
In terms of individual ages, those who are aged 32 are apparently the most likely to have points on their licence. The data reveals that 6,615 per 100,000 32-year-old drivers currently have points on their UK driver’s licence.
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Which sex picks up more points?
Their research also indicated which sex tends to be penalised most on the road, with men being over twice as likely to have points on their driving licence than women.
There was actually a fairly big difference in the number of penalty points accrued: only 3,187 out of every 100,000 female drivers (3.19%) have penalty points on their licence, whereas the rate for men was around 7,158 per 100,000 (7.16%).
So, while there are roughly similar numbers of men and women on the roads (26.4 million compared to 24 million), 1.9 million men have points compared to around 766,000 women.
Hey, don’t look at us — the numbers don’t lie and it’s you lot doing the driving.
The most common kind of penalty offence committed in the UK was breaking the speed limit on a public road with 2,158,179 offences, followed by speeding on motorways.
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As for the areas where drivers are most likely to pick up points, you’ll be glad to hear that Greater Manchester wasn’t even in the top 25 most serial offenders. Cheshire was the closest in 19th place, with around 8.22% of drivers in the region currently holding possessing points on their licence.
Do any of these revelations come as a surprise to you or are you simply so good impeccable driver that you assume everyone is just as suspect as each other?
Featured Image — Samuele Errico Piccarini (via Unsplash)
Travel & Tourism
Police warn off ‘Instagram tourists’ from irresponsible parking at beauty hotspot
Daisy Jackson
Police have issued stern advice regarding visiting a beauty hotspot, after a weekend of ‘ridiculous’ parking earlier this month.
North Wales Police said there was ‘really disappointing’ and ‘irresponsible’ behaviour from visitors last week, when Storm Goretti left Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park covered in a beautiful blanket of snow.
The impressive scenery has drawn a lot of walkers up into the hills – but the winter weather has also created difficult conditions for travelling.
It’s let to the police clamping down on vehicles that are left at the sides of the road, with enforcement officers patrolling looking out for illegally parked vehicles.
Their statement also stressed that ‘irresponsible behaviour for the benefit of some Instagram photos’ can put strain on the emergency services and volunteer mountain rescue groups, pulling them away from real emergencies.
The advice has come after a weekend that saw ‘significant disruption’ due to poor parking at Pen y Pass within the Eryri National Park, which acts as an access point to climb to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon).
Police have slammed ‘irresponsible’ drivers visiting Eryri. Credit: Unsplash, Neil Mark Thomas
T/Inspector Jason Diamond, North Wales Police said: “It was really disappointing to see such irresponsible behaviour last weekend with people leaving vehicles in ridiculous parking locations, causing the ‘if they do it, I’ll do it’ effect and massively increasing risk to themselves and others.
“We understand that the area is outstandingly beautiful – even more so with a blanket of snow, but common sense must still prevail.
“Leaving vehicles at edges of snow lined carriageways and pushing others into the paths of oncoming vehicles at best increases the risk of coming back to a damaged vehicle, but at worst, hugely increases the risk of serious personal injury.
“We seldom get snow flurries like we have seen in recent days, so our general motoring public are not used to driving on snow and ice, so irresponsible behaviour for the benefit of a walk or some Instagram photos increases the demand on our emergency and volunteer services who could be focusing on dealing with real emergencies.
“Pre-empting the social media responses, seizing vehicles left in dangerous situations, whilst always an option, needs to be risk managed in such conditions, whilst some may not be, we are always working with safety in mind. And building car parks in a national park is far more complicated than it sounds!
There will be extra parking patrols at Eryri/Snowdonia. Credit: Unsplash, Benjamin Blyth
“If you are planning on visiting Eryri please familiarise yourself with the weather forecast and keep up to date information relating to Storm Goretti by following the Met Office and news bulletins.
“If you do intend on visiting the area please make sure you park responsibly and sensibly. Local authorities will be sending their enforcement officers out and will be issuing notices to any vehicles illegally parked.”
Councillor Craig ab Iago, Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet member for the Environment said: “The recent snow and ice have created some beautiful scenes and a wonderful atmosphere here in Gwynedd, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it safely. If you are coming to areas such as Pen y Pass to walk or to enjoy the views, please plan your visit carefully and respect others and our communities.
“We are asking people to park responsibly and not block the road for others. Our officers will be working with partners from other authorities with the aim of keeping the road clear.
“We are also encouraging people to use public transport where possible, and bear in mind that the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service is running on the winter timetable, which means that buses are running less frequently.
“Because of the mountainous and rural nature of the area, visitors should also remember that the weather can affect the roads, which has a knock-on effect on public transport. Please check the weather forecast and road information before setting off.”
The Tour de France is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: both the male and female Tour de France are coming to Greater Manchester and nine other destinations across the UK in 2027.
As one of the biggest locations on the list, it’s another big sporting landmark for us Mancs.
Confirmed on Thursday, 15 January, the men’s race and the Tour de France Femmes (TdFF) will be passing through our region next summer.
Revealing the news in an exciting announcement video on social media, you can see the other cities and towns that the world-famous endurance event will be hitting here:
With Greater Manchester boasting not only the National Cycling Centre, but having already hosted the Tour of Britain – which has passed through Altrincham on multiple ocassions – we’re well-versed when it comes to the sport.
It’s been more than a decade since the Tour de France last took place in the UK, with London and Yorkshire hosting three stages of the biggest date on the annual cycling calendar back in 2014.
Fast forward a dozen years, and not only will they both be participating again, but Great Britain will see dual Grand Départs for men and women for the very first time.
Not only are we buzzing that the racing will be returning to our friends in Leeds and Sheffield, but also nice to see other Northern regions lending their roads and stunning landscapes, such as the Lake District and wider parts of Cumbria.
You can see the full route map broken down below.
🇬🇧 Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, London 🇬🇧
💛 Grand Départ Great Britain 2027: in the footsteps of the pioneers!
— Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) January 15, 2026
Speaking in an official press release, race director Christian Prudhomme said: “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.”
“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
TdFF counterpart, Marion Rousse, added: “The UK has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Deignan.
“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Danny Jones -
13th November 2022 
