A MOTORIST within the BB12 postcode has racked up four times the number of allowed of penalty points on a licence according to the latest figures.

The DVLA publishes statistics by postode area - the digits that come before the space in the full postcode and it shows that that 112 drivers in East Lancashire had at least 12 points on their licence.

The highest offender was from the Fence, Sabden Fold, Simonstone, Padiham or Higham area with 48 points to their name.

Here is the

Drivers can be disqualified from driving if they amass more than 12 points within three years, with repeat offenders banned for up to two years.

However, a loophole allows those found guilty of multiple offences to plead “exceptional hardship” and argue that losing their licence would have a significantly negative effect on their life, such as costing them their job. In such cases the courts can decide to waive the disqualification.

Here is a ranking of the postcode districts in East Lancashire that are home to the most dangerous drivers. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

1. Parts of Blackburn - Queens Park, Roe Lee, Whitebirk, Ramsgreave. Rishton, Salesbury and parts of Belthorn - BB1

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 20.

2. Parts of Blackburn - Wensley Fold, Higher Croft, Mill Hill, Mellor, Pleasington - BB2

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 15

Joint 2nd. Haslingden Grane, Helmshore, Waterfoot, Rossendale, Rawtenstall, Loveclough - BB4

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 15

4. Nelson, Barrowford, Higher Fold, Blacko - BB9

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 12

5. Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Church, Altham and Huncoat - BB5

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 9

Joint 5th: Worsthorne, Briercliffe, Cliviger - BB10

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 9

Joint 5th: Fence, Sabden Fold, Simonstone, Padiham or Higham area - BB12

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 9

8. Burnley, Hapton and Dunnockshaw - BB11

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 8

9. Darwen, Tockholes and Hoddlesden - BB3

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 5

Joint 9th: Waddington, Stoneyhurst, Clitheroe, Gisburn and Slaidburn - BB7

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 5

11. Colne, Foulridge, Trawden, Laneshawbridge - BB8

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 3

12. Barnoldswick, Earby, Sough, Kelbrook - BB18

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 2

13. Brockhall Village, Langho, Great Harwood, Old Langho - BB6

Number of drivers with 12 or more points on their licence: 0

Meanwhile, the top five postcodes with points on their licence in East Lancashire are:

BB1 - 3,171, BB2 - 2,868, BB4 - 2,830, BB5 - 2,686, BB7 - 2,168