View Full Version : Speed awareness course, anyone know about these?
Robin91
23rd May 2009, 18:12
Got a letter through the post saying I've been caught doing 36 in a 30, and that they have photographic/video evidence (it was one of those mobile van camera things.)
Now, I've only been driving since the end of march, and currently have a clean license, and obviously don't want 3 points for the life of me. I'm a sensible driver and clearly have made an unlucky misjudgment on my speed, I wasn't even aware I went too fast past it (I remember seeing the camera/van). According to my local police website (Dorset police) they do offer a speed awareness course around here, and reading through the web, I gather if you get caught doing 36 in a 30 and haven't done the course before (within 3 years) you can take one..
Can anyone clarify, will I definitely be allowed to take this course and pay the fee rather than get the points? Or do they get to choose who can and who can't? ( Surely that wouldn't be fair?)
Feel like crap, really bad start to driving, and really shocked when I saw it, fingers crossed I can get this course..
Cheers guys!
stinkycheese
23rd May 2009, 18:16
they will let you know if you qualify for the course. upto 39 mph in a 30 you should be offered it
PSPDan
23rd May 2009, 18:16
Not sure if you can do it if you've only been driving a few months. But my dad did one last year. He had the choice whether he wanted to do it or take points. He was on the course with an English sporting legend as well but I can't say who it was :(
Rach125
23rd May 2009, 18:17
i know when my bf got caught speeding (he was doing 44 in a 30), he had the option, it stated on the bottom of the letter what his options were and he then had to contact them with what he wished to do, hope this helps :)
Not all regions/systems operate the course.
Most it still suck up take the points and fine.
They should have notified you with the options
Robin91
23rd May 2009, 18:18
Not sure if you can do it if you've only been driving a few months. But my dad did one last year. He had the choice whether he wanted to do it or take points. He was on the course with an English sporting legend as well but I can't say who it was :(
they will let you know if you qualify for the course. upto 39 mph in a 30 you should be offered it
So they don't offer it to everyone then? I don't understand how they can 'choose' who can do it and who can't, without risk of discrimination, unless anyone knows if there's set criteria?
And can anyone clarify on the time limit? (The fact I've only been driving a few months.)
If I could get a definite answer on this I'd really appreciate it, thanks.
stinkycheese
23rd May 2009, 18:21
thames valley and hertfordshire definately offer the course. im pretty sure that its offered to drivers of all experiences
stinkycheese
23rd May 2009, 18:25
Not sure if you can do it if you've only been driving a few months. But my dad did one last year. He had the choice whether he wanted to do it or take points. He was on the course with an English sporting legend as well but I can't say who it was :(
was it a rugby player?
moxy89
23rd May 2009, 18:25
my friend got caught in bmouth at 33mph in a 30, they told him 34 he would not be offered the course.. so he took the course some are based on the speed over i think mate
i can't see why you would not be able to do the course.. did one last year . you just sit there saying yes, but thinking god !!! don't these people know how good modern brakes are..take's all day also so you lose a days pay...
Robin91
23rd May 2009, 18:28
my friend got caught in bmouth at 33mph in a 30, they told him 34 he would not be offered the course.. so he took the course some are based on the speed over i think mate
Really? How long ago was this? Everything I can find on the web seems to suggest its 36 (and that's the limit). 34 would seem very unfair and strict, considering 33 is rarely punishable anyway?
stinkycheese
23rd May 2009, 18:55
up to 35mph and you wouldnt have got a ticket atall (even if you do, ask for a calibration certificate and it will be dropped). 35-39 you will be offered a course.40+ its definately 3+points and a fine
Bickerton
23rd May 2009, 19:00
When i did a course in the past i was told anything over 33 was points, and as mentioned not all councils do these courses
Robin91
23rd May 2009, 19:03
When i did a course in the past i was told anything over 33 was points, and as mentioned not all councils do these courses
Nah, that conflicts with what most county's are doing, it appears it's 36-39 for the course, but it doesn't mention specifically for Dorset.
up to 35mph and you wouldnt have got a ticket atall (even if you do, ask for a calibration certificate and it will be dropped). 35-39 you will be offered a course.40+ its definately 3+points and a fine
Yeah I'm hoping Dorset count 36 as eligible for the course, I'm just worried because it sounds like each county can have their own limits/rules. Gah, so stressed.
why not ring up the local police and ask? any contact details on the ticket itself.
Elliott
23rd May 2009, 19:07
My mate just got caught doing 47mph in a 40 zone, got the option to do the course, cost him £75 but was better than 3 points and a fine
Bickerton
23rd May 2009, 19:11
Nah, that conflicts with what most county's are doing, it appears it's 36-39 for the course, but it doesn't mention specifically for Dorset.
I agree, but thats what i was told by the guys running the course
Robin91
23rd May 2009, 19:13
I agree, but thats what i was told by the guys running the course
Hmm, I imagine it's either changed since then or they were trying to scare people out of speeding again then.
why not ring up the local police and ask? any contact details on the ticket itself.
Tried that, closed until Tuesday (appropriate department.)
chinkostu
24th May 2009, 01:20
did 37 in a 30, got offered the course
cost me missus £60 like!
PSPDan
24th May 2009, 01:46
was it a rugby player?
Yes it was :homme:
Also, I think my dad got caught by a camera when he was overtaking an old woman (there were two lanes), think it must've been about 33/34 mph cus it was ridiculously slow.
Robin91
24th May 2009, 12:03
My mate told me last night his mum did it 2/3 weeks ago, and she mentioned that it was for 36 in a 30 or something.. So fingers crossed!
goodall3518
24th May 2009, 12:46
So they don't offer it to everyone then? I don't understand how they can 'choose' who can do it and who can't, without risk of discrimination, unless anyone knows if there's set criteria?
And can anyone clarify on the time limit? (The fact I've only been driving a few months.)
If I could get a definite answer on this I'd really appreciate it, thanks.
Its usually when a driver has like 9 outta 12 points, and he needs his car for his job.
I.e. when my dad got his 9th point, they offered it to him as he needed his car to travel to the airport every week, otherwise his livlehood is gone.
So i doubt theyd offer it to someone whos just passed, as they probably think you should know better having just passed your test, and you dont need your car to survive.
IIRC, its offered as others have said, in such cases as 39mph in a 30mph zone.. However they usually offer it to you, you dont usually have to beg them for it... I've never heard of a person younger doing it either. However like ryan said its down to the countys police force, their protocol and so forth.
You can have a shot at pleading with them and asking to complete the course, but my guess is theyl say you should know better and keep the points if they havent already offered you the course as standard.
Hope this helps
Robin91
24th May 2009, 12:47
Its usually when a driver has like 9 outta 12 points, and he needs his car for his job.
I.e. when my dad got his 9th point, they offered it to him as he needed his car to travel to the airport every week, otherwise his livlehood is gone.
So i doubt theyd offer it to someone whos just passed, as they probably think you should know better having just passed your test, and you dont need your car to survive.
That seems to conflict with other things I've heard, so hopefully that's not true (it sounds to me like your assuming that?)
goodall3518
24th May 2009, 13:00
That seems to conflict with other things I've heard, so hopefully that's not true (it sounds to me like your assuming that?)
Im just going on my personal experience, as i said my dad had to do it.. he then fitted a cruise control as he did alot of driving at that time and couldnt afford to loose his license...
the police (gloucestershire) said the only reason he was granted it was beacuse he was older and had children to support, thus needing his car for his travels on his job.
My4tt91
24th May 2009, 21:45
i am in the same boat mate got caught last month doing 37 in a 30. just recived the papers and i was given the option to go on the course thing so im sure ur be able 2. but for young drivers like me after i go on the course i have 2 do 5 test's on the internet about the high way code and if i dont pass them it says i get the points aswell which is a bit of a c*nt.
Robin91
24th May 2009, 22:28
i am in the same boat mate got caught last month doing 37 in a 30. just recived the papers and i was given the option to go on the course thing so im sure ur be able 2. but for young drivers like me after i go on the course i have 2 do 5 test's on the internet about the high way code and if i dont pass them it says i get the points aswell which is a bit of a c*nt.
Are the tests timed? If not, just look the answers up surely?
P.s. how old are you? And how long have you been driving for?
Bickerton
25th May 2009, 06:31
Are the tests timed? If not, just look the answers up surely?
P.s. how old are you? And how long have you been driving for?
If you fail the test you will often pass out due to forgetting to breath....
It's that easy, just risk assessment routine
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