Yahoo News Bradford has highest proportion of banned drivers in the country, figures claim
BRADFORD has the highest proportion of disqualified drivers in the country, new figures have revealed.
The data from the DVLA shows one in every 191 drivers in Bradford is currently banned from getting behind the wheel.
This compares to an average of one in 431 banned motorists across the UK.
Motorists can be disqualified from driving if they accumulate 12 points or more on their licence, or if they are convicted of a driving offence.
In total, more than 2,000 people in Bradford are currently disqualified from driving, out of 445,000 local licence holders.
While Bradford holds the title for the highest proportion of banned drivers, London has the most local licence holders who have been disqualified.
The data was obtained through a Freedom of Information request by Dayinsure, a car and motor insurance company.
Liverpool has the second-highest proportion of banned drivers, followed by Teesside, Newport and Wakefield.
Nicholas Shaw, director of operations at Dayinsure, said: “While the vast majority of UK motorists comply with the law, it is still alarming to see that so many motorists have been disqualified from driving due to dangerous and careless driving.
“The data highlights how vital it is for motorists to take extra care and attention when driving, as you never know what other road users might be doing – you sadly cannot just assume that others will drive as carefully as you would.
“Our final piece of advice would be to ensure that you are fully insured in case worse comes to worse and you are involved in an accident.”
Bradford courts often hear cases where defendants are banned due to the dangerous nature of their driving.
Back in December, a killer driver was put back behind bars after he was involved in another incident of dangerous driving just a few years after he caused the death of a much-loved woman.
In February 2018, Billy Horsfall, then 24, crashed a Vauxhall Astra into a Honda Jazz on Common Road in Low Moor, Bradford, and caused fatal injuries to 68-year-old Ilkley passenger Jane Floweth.
He was jailed for three years and four months after admitting to causing Ms Floweth's death by dangerous driving.
He was released from that sentence, but Bradford Crown Court heard he had not passed the extended re-test he was ordered to take at the end of his 44-month driving ban when he engaged in another piece of dangerous driving.
How the T&A reported the crash at the time (Image: T&A library)
Judge Kirstie Watson told Horsfall, of Grayswood Crescent, Holme Wood, that it 'defied belief' that he was back before the court again.
He was banned from driving again for nearly five years.
In court in March, a judge labelled a driver “arrogant” for leading police on a dangerous chase through Bradford streets.
He was already subject to a three-year driving ban at the time of the offence.
Faizal Bahadur, 37, of Horton Grange Road, had a lengthy list of previous convictions for traffic offences – including being jailed for dangerous driving.
Judge Jonathan Rose said: “There really was absolutely no reason for you to be driving other than your wilful disobedience of the disqualification, as you have done so many times [previously]."
He was jailed for 21 months and banned from driving for almost six years.
An officer working on the police's Steerside Enforcement Team (Image: Newsquest)
West Yorkshire Police's Steerside operation has been dedicated to tackling dangerous and anti-social driving in Bradford since the initiative was launched in 2016.
It evolved in 2018 into a multi-agency partnership and has continued to proactively take on illegal use of the road.
Back in January, the T&A was given exclusive access to see how the team is tackling a "culture of acceptance" when it comes to dangerous driving.
During that day of action, Noreen Akhtar, assistant director of neighbourhood and community services at Bradford Council, said: "As a council, we have the Community Safety Partnership, all the partners here today are represented at that table.
"When it comes to delivering, we know there are issues with unsafe cars and their anti-social use.
"I live in Bradford and I know people want these things sorted out.
"Anything you see unusual, we want people to report that and we can follow up on it."
The T&A approached West Yorkshire Police for a comment.
