We were sat round the office this morning, reading the papers over a cup of tea, when one headline nearly made us spill it…
Apparently, UK drivers racked up 9.6 million penalty points last year — that’s up 12% on 2023, according to The Independent.
Now, for anyone without a Road Angel on their dashboard, this probably isn’t much of a shock.
Cameras are everywhere, limits keep changing, and one small lapse in concentration can land you a fine faster than you can say “average speed check.”
Why the spike?
Let’s be honest — we’ve all been there.
You’re on a smooth stretch of road, the car’s purring, music’s on… and before you know it, that 50mph zone you just entered has caught you napping.
There are more speed cameras on UK roads than ever before, and enforcement is sharper too.
Throw in lower limits in built-up areas and a few drivers who still think the rules are optional, and suddenly the country’s collecting points like they’re loyalty stamps.
What it means for you
Here’s the reality check:
-
12 points in three years can mean a ban.
-
Standard fine: £100 and 3 points.
-
Serious offences? Those points can haunt your licence for up to 11 years.
And it’s not just speeding — uninsured driving and careless behaviour are right up there too.
The Road Angel take
We don’t love seeing headlines like that — but we’re not surprised either.
Because for drivers without alerts, dashcams or live data, the odds are stacked against them.
Our tech doesn’t make you invincible, but it does make you aware — of cameras, changing limits, hazards, and the stuff you might miss on autopilot.
And right now, awareness is the difference between a clean licence and an expensive lesson.
The takeaway
This surge in penalty points isn’t about worse drivers — it’s about a world that’s watching more closely.
So stay smart, stay alert, and don’t give the cameras a reason to flash.
Because when the numbers are rising this fast, it pays to be the one driver who’s in the know.
