New data from the DVLA has revealed that several towns in Somerset have a significant number of drivers with penalty points on their licences, placing them among the worst areas for bad driving in the county.

In Glastonbury, one in every 59 drivers has at least six points on their licence, with a total of 179 motorists falling into this category. The data shows that at least one driver in the area has accumulated 13 points.

Shepton Mallet fares even worse, with one in every 61 drivers having six or more points on their licence. A total of 232 drivers in the town have reached this threshold, with the highest individual score being 12 points.

Wells has 214 drivers with six or more points, meaning one in every 70 motorists is carrying significant penalty points. The worst offender in Wells has accumulated 15 points on their licence.

In Street, 144 drivers have racked up at least six points, with one in every 65 drivers affected. The highest score in Street also stands at 12 points.

A police spokesperson said: "The data from the DVLA is deeply concerning. Drivers with multiple points on their licences pose a serious risk to themselves and others on the road. We are actively working to address this issue through increased enforcement and public awareness campaigns. Our priority is to ensure the safety of all road users, and we urge drivers to take more responsibility for their actions behind the wheel."

These figures highlight a growing concern over driving standards in Somerset.

Nationally, Bradford has emerged as the bad-driving capital of Great Britain. In the BD3 postcode area, which covers Barkerend, Bradford Moor, and Thornbury, a total of 722 drivers – 5.1% of the driving population – have six or more points on their licences, the highest percentage in the country. The DVLA reports that some drivers have accumulated extreme numbers of penalty points, with one individual holding a staggering 176 points.

The worst area for bad driving in Somerset is the TA6 postcode, covering Bridgwater and surrounding areas, where one in 44 drivers has at least six points.