MOTORING OFFENCES AFTER two recently reported cases, I wonder if, following a motoring offence, drivers escaping a ban by quoting “exceptional hardship” if they lose their licence need to actually prove this.

Most cases seem to be high profile and I am sure there are plenty of unemployed people with a clean driving licence willing to act as a chauffeur for a period, thus bringing offenders back down to earth.

Eddie Scarlett, Huntington, York.

I’VE just read about the appalling actions of James MacConachie of Darlington (Echo, Sept 7) who caused a three vehicle accident while on his phone to check his bank balance.

I find his plea to the court that losing his licence would cause “exceptional hardship” to be unbelievable. He should have lost his licence.

People like him who have a total disregard for other car drivers and members of the public are a disgrace and should not be allowed on our roads.

He pleaded that losing his licence could mean the closure of his business and the loss of his home, and his children then would not have a roof over their heads. To use them as part of his defence was disgusting.

How would he feel if he had killed someone while driving without due care and attention?

He already had 11 points on his licence which proves what a menace on the roads he is.

The loss of his licence could surely only have been the best possible outcome.

Name and address supplied, Darlington.