14 points on licence, but cabbie still on the road

Ashad Ibrahim (42), who also failed to give driver identification details to police, was fined £450 at Rotherham Magistrates’ Court.

He was spotted without the safety belt on Wellgate on October 3 and officers later found he was uninsured.

But the court decided there were mitigating circumstances—because cabbie Ibrahim could no longer work if disqualified and this would cause hardship to his family.

Ellie Pearson, from road safety charity Brake, said: “Drivers who repeatedly break vital safety laws should not be on our roads, putting the lives of others at risk.

What do you think of the court's decision? Should anyone with 14 points on their licence ever escape a driving ban? Use the "write a comment" buttons to post your views.

“Individuals who rack up 12 points or more show complete disregard for the law and the lives of other road users.

“We are calling for the Government to toughen up on these dangerous drivers and change the law, so that 12 points means an automatic ban before the illegal and irresponsible behaviour of these drivers costs someone’s life.”

Ibrahim, of Herringthorpe Valley Road, was given eight points and fined £300 for not wearing the seatbelt and not having valid insurance.

He was also handed a further six points and £150 fine for the identification offence, which dated back to the spring.