McLaren chairman Ron Dennis gets license revoked

 McLaren chairman Ron Dennis gets license revoked
Ron Dennis / Copyright: Davenport / xpb.cc

Dennis accumulated 12 penalty points under the U.K. system for infractions such as speeding and running a red light

McLaren chairman and former Formula One boss Ron Dennis has be banned from driving for six months for running a red light in the U.K.

"Our executive chairman's driving licence [sic] has been suspended for six months following four minor traffic infringements that resulted in 12 penalty points being accrued," said a McLaren spokesperson last Friday.

Dennis had already accumulated 9 demerit points for speeding until the last incident, the running of a red light last September, led a U.K. magistrate court to revoke his driver's license for six months.

"There were only two other cars around but I felt that it would be more prudent to continue rather than stop," said Dennis, claiming he was being followed by a friend behind him and didn't want to stop abruptly for fear of causing a crash.

Dennis pleaded with the court not to take away his driving privileges since he needs an automobile to care for his children on weekends. Dennis is divorced.

Dennis stepped down as head McLaren's Formula One division to focus on the development and launch of the McLaren MP4-12C.

Album featured here is of the recently released MP4-12C GT3.

Source: Reuters

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 9TNine 9TNine
Condolences... but amazing a 63 yo can still drive like that! When I'm 63 yo I would like to still be able to drive like that!
March 14, 2011 12:26 pm
 Edison Edison
So what you're saying is that you hope to continue being a reckless driver into your 60's??? Setting some pretty lofty goals for ourselves aren't we...
March 14, 2011 12:42 pm
 astroturf777 astroturf777
with speed cameras on every light post in britain, it's not hard to get a ticket...
March 14, 2011 3:27 pm
 9TNine 9TNine
Hello Edison, Actually to answer your question, the answer is NO. Can?t you tell by the tone of my writings I was being sarcastic? [actually, Ironic]. Not to worry, my Americans friends can?t either. Good to see you have a conscience.
March 15, 2011 3:47 am
 slim slim
I cant imagine living in the UK. They suspend a 63 year olds license for 6 months due to running a red light? That must really suck. Here in the US, if youre a celebrity or a police officer, you can accidentally kill someone with your car while texting, drunk and high off drugs, flee the scene, turn yourself in 24hrs later when the alcohol and drugs are out of your system and get the same punishment plus a suspension (with pay of course).
March 14, 2011 1:08 pm
 termigni termigni
i guess the Air-Brake doesn't work too well LOL!
March 14, 2011 2:57 pm
 Hellbound Hellbound
Once you accumulate 12 points on your license, you are suspended for a certain length of time. It's unavoidable. Could have been 28 days or a year or more. It takes four long years before any existing points you have are removed from your license. Ron will have this 'ban' printed on his license for the next 4 years (or maybe 5, not sure) and he has to inform his insurers of his record. Anyway, the guy can afford a driver.
March 15, 2011 2:05 am
 Down Under Down Under
Memo to Ron Dennis; Heikki Kovalainen is looking for a drive in 2011 and you need a chauffer?sorted!
March 15, 2011 3:51 am
 DUCATI46 DUCATI46
Serves him right. "Dennis pleaded with the court not to take away his driving privileges since he needs an automobile to care for his children on weekends." How many people could plead that? Its no excuse we all speed or sometimes do things on the road we shouldn't... we should just accept it if we get caught. If you dont wanna get done then dont break the law. simple.
March 15, 2011 4:21 am
 Prince_Ash Prince_Ash
didnt they say they were going to take away speed cameras in brit? the police are only picking it up later in the year again no?
March 16, 2011 9:51 am