Hard core of banned drivers not deterred, AA says

Around 75,000 motorists are driving despite being banned, according to the AA.

Government figures for 2006 showed that 192,000 drivers were disqualified – around half of whom lost their licences for drink driving.

Chris Hunt Cooke, chairman of the AA’s road traffic committee, said magistrates could jail drivers who flouted the ban for a maximum of six months. But because of the early release scheme and the discount courts were expected to give for a guilty plea, such drivers normally only served around six weeks.

"These are persistent offenders," Mt Hunt Cooke said. "Our powers do not act as a deterrent for a hard core and it doesn’t keep them off the road."

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