DOZENS of dangerous drivers are still on the roads of Braintree despite racking up enough points for a ban.

In total, 55 drivers in Braintree have dodged a driving ban even though they have 12 or more points on their licence.

That's according to analysis of DVLA numbers by road safety charity Brake which says the system is allowing offenders to exploit loopholes.

The latest figures, which go up to July, show the highest number of points received by one Braintree driver who is still allowed to drive is 19.

Around 19 in every 100,000 drivers have at least 12 points on their licence which is below the national average of 23 per every 100,000.

Currently, if a driver can convince a magistrate that they, or an innocent party such as a family member, will face 'exceptional hardship' as a result of losing their licence they may be permitted to keep it.

Joshua Harris, of Brake, said he was concerned that so many offenders are being allowed to keep driving.

He said: "By ignoring the exploitation of the ‘exceptional hardship’ loophole that allows unsafe drivers to remain on our roads, the government and courts are complicit in increasing the risk to the public.

"This dangerous loophole must be dealt with as a matter of urgency so that drivers who reach 12 points are automatically disqualified, protecting the general public from harm.

"Driving is a privilege, not a right and if that privilege is not exercised responsibly, it must be taken away."

The charity wants the loophole to be closed as part of its Roads to Justice campaign, which says an urgent review is needed into road rules.

Minor offences, such as speeding or failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing, can result in three points and stay on your licence for four years unless it is wiped clean

Serious offences, such as drink or drug driving, can warrant get up to 11 points which stay on your licence for 11 years.

If a driver gets 12 or more points in three years they will usually be banned from driving for six months.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The vast majority of drivers who get 12 penalty points are automatically disqualified.

"The courts have access to DVLA records which are taken into account, but sentencing is rightly a matter for independent judges based on the facts of each case."

John Bache, Chair of the Magistrates Association, said: "The process for establishing exceptional hardship is robust – magistrates scrutinise every case very carefully and an individual would only avoid a ban if the magistrates sitting in the case are confident that exceptional hardship would genuinely be caused."