DATA from the DVLA shows that drivers in St Helens have collectively picked up thousands of penalty points.

As of February 2024, data from the Driving Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) shows that St Helens drivers have collectively picked up 5,478 penalty points.

Analysed by motoring experts, Swansway Motor Group, the data also shows the postcodes where residents have the highest amount of combined penalty points on their licences.

In St Helens, the WA9 postcode in the south of the borough had the highest number of penalty points, with 2,132 collective penalty points from a total of 38,753 driving licences.

The WA10 area, in the central and west of the borough, had 1,757 collective penalty points from a total of 30,136 driving licences.

The WA11 postcode, in the north and east of the borough, had 1,589 collective penalty points from a total of 31,703 driving licences.

These figures were some of the highest-recorded penalty points across Merseyside postcodes.

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Some of the most common reasons for people getting points on their licence include speeding, using a mobile device while driving, careless driving, dangerous driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The courts can fine you and ‘endorse’ your driving record with penalty points if you’re convicted of a motoring offence.

Penalty points are put on a driver's record and can remain for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence. You can be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years. 

Across the whole of the north west, Bacup in Lancashire was found to have the most dangerous drivers based on points per population.