People will take points for family members, or partners. Some might even do so for cash. Others will lie to the Police to try and get someone arrested as they die. There is a wider debate to be had about the decline of morality in the UK, but not for IE today. Let’s get into the penalty points thing with Tiger.co.uk;
Nearly one in ten Britons have or would consider taking penalty points for their partner, even though it could lead to a prison sentence and a permanent criminal record.
That’s the finding of a survey by the motoring insurance experts at Tiger.co.uk who asked 1000 drivers if and why they’d take the points for a loved one.
Shockingly one percent admitted to having already taken penalty points for someone else, with 8% saying they would consider it.
That’s despite the offence, perverting the course of justice and fraud, carrying severe consequences. Perverting the course of justice can carry an unlimited prison sentence, with fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006 carrying up to 10 years imprisonment.
Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 triggers the offence. It places a legal duty on the registered keeper or other relevant person to identify who was driving when the police request the information.
Giving false information elevates this from a motoring offence into a serious criminal one.
Despite the serious ramifications of taking someone else’s penalty points for a motoring offence, 7% of those surveyed said they would consider taking the points if it meant their partner losing their driving licence.
A further 3% cited needing to drive to work, with 1% admitting a higher car insurance price would tempt them to think about breaking the law and taking the points.
Surprisingly, 3% of those questioned admitted to being asked by a partner to take points for them.
Over three million Brits now have at least three penalty points on their licence, the highest number in more than a decade. Three points can be given for offences including failing to comply with traffic light signals, using a vehicle with defective brakes and leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position.
A speeding offence carries between three and six points and stays on the record for four years.
More serious offences including driving or attempting to drive with alcohol above the limit and dangerous driving are subject to up to 11 points.
Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk, said: “Taking someone’s penalty points is a serious offence and could result in a jail sentence and a permanent criminal record.
“It’s concerning to see almost one in 10 respondents have or would consider taking points on behalf of a partner. I think a key issue here is that people don’t realise how serious an offence it actually is. The fact is, it’s illegal and the ramifications are severe.
“As well as a potential criminal conviction, a driving ban and prison term, there are other more long-term consequences. A criminal record can affect employment, professional licences and travel visas.
“Courts treat perverting the course of justice harshly, drivers need to be aware of all the consequences and ensure safe and honest driving is a priority.
“Even three penalty points can increase average car insurance premiums by 15%, rising to 26% for six points with new drivers losing their licence if they earn six points or more within the first two years of driving.
“Insurers can view penalty points as an increased risk of an incident on the road, affecting their risk analysis and potentially increasing premiums for the duration of the points.
“Drivers caught misleading their insurance provider could see their policy cancelled, making it difficult to get future protection.”
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