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Topic: speeding
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Fran
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speeding
I have been caught on camera doing 38 in a 30 zone. It just seems like the last straw at the moment. I have been told I have the choice of 3 points and a £60 fine, or going on a driving course and paying £80 but not getting thepoints. I just can't seem to decide what I should do.
I don't want the points, although I don't have any now, but the thought of going on a course with stangers fills me with horror.
What do you all think I should do?
Any decision is so hard when you are this screwed up isn't it?
Posted on 23/07/2008 at 22:17 |
carrie
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Re: speeding
Hi Fran
Can I tell you my experience?
Firstly, I was breathalysed a few weeks ago. It was around midnight, on a very quiet road. I had had a half of cider about four hours previous, with a tiny taste of wine. I had gone on to have an Indian meal. I won't bore you with the details - four policeman no less - anyway the test was clear BUT it scared me stiff, and taught me not to ever have the tiniest drink ever again if I am driving.
Then, the very next morning I received a speeding fine in the post - for doing 35 in a 30 zone. What a weekend!
My husband was an advanced driver, he would have been very annoyed with me, but then it wouldn't have happened if I wasn't on my own - wouldn't have been in those places. There again, maybe these things happened for a reason - to make me take more care.
I picked myself up from these events - got them into perspective. Talked to lots of people about their similar experiences.
I have opted to go on the speed awareness course. My brother has been on this too. He said it was fine - quite enjoyable really. It's not like an exam or anything. He definately recommends it rather than the fine. Mine cost me £67. Booked it online so I could choose the date.
I am doing it at the end of August - will let you know how it goes if you havn't been on it by then!
I am sure you will be fine, and others will probably be feeling the same way. Sometimes we just have to 'feel the fear and face it anyway'. Sorry if that sounds a bit dramatic but you know what I mean.
Just go for it and don't worry.
Good luck.
Posted on 23/07/2008 at 22:42 |
sue
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Re: speeding
Don't do the course if it really frightens you. three points isn't so bad and they only have a three year shelf life.
Do whatever you can to make your life as stress -free as possible nowadays. That's what I think anyway but only you know what you can take.
Good luck.
sue
Posted on 23/07/2008 at 22:49 |
Gilly
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Re: speeding
I've been driving far far too fast since Paul died.....I tohught I was caught by a radar gun a few weeks ago but haven't got tyher ticket yet so I think I'm ok...but it did make me wise up a bit!
I reckon I'd take the points...
Gilly
Posted on 23/07/2008 at 22:57 |
Liz
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Re: speeding
I agree with Sue: take the points and forget the course for the moment. I was annoyed when they increased the premium when my husband died - I now know why! I don't know how many times I nearly ran into the back of someone at traffic lights on my way home from work.
A friend of mine had a speeding fine when she was following an ambulance with her severely ill husband to hospital and she had to pay it but she felt that it didn't matter on an otherwise clean driving licence.
Hope this helps.
Take care, Liz, x
PS My daughter-in-law was a policewoman and my son gave me a police sticker to put above the tax disc for "when you get caught, Mum." Haven't been - so far!!
Posted on 23/07/2008 at 23:07 |
anon
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Re: speeding
Take the points I would. I took 3 of my husbands points (he was, with hinsight unwell, got 9 points in 2 months!).
The insurance companies don't care about 3 points, especially in 30 zone at your speed. They will be gone before you know it too!
Sorry for anon but I think my confession is illegal?
Posted on 23/07/2008 at 23:16 |
sal
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Re: speeding
I got caught by a speed camera 3 weeks after my husband died. I just payed the fine and took the points, then forgot about it, apart from making sure it didn't happen again.
I was in no fit state to think about a course or anything else!
Sal
Posted on 23/07/2008 at 23:22 |
shar smiff
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Re: speeding
Dear Anon
Nothing is illegal when you are a widow. Confession, WHAT confession?
Posted on 23/07/2008 at 23:23 |
Denise J.
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Re: speeding
Hi Fran,
I think everyone hates the thought of going on these courses but a couple of people I know have done it and said it wasn't as bad as they expected.
I've not actually been caught speeding but a couple of weeks ago I scared myself when I drove too close past a cyclist. I'm not sure whether I actually made contact or not, I wasn't concentrating at all, but when I looked back the cyclist was still cycling but wobbling! The fact that I wasn't sure what had happened scared me and I realise that when I'm in the car I'm daydreaming with a head full of memories and a danger to myself so it's definitely made me concentrate more. Incidents like this and being caught speeding do make you more careful.
Good luck
Denise
x
Posted on 23/07/2008 at 23:32 |
Lyn M
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Re: speeding
What makes me really sick is that they never catch the real idiots who go roaring past you on the motorway as if you are stood still when you are doing seventy, or the ignorant sods who drive on your bumper if you arent going quite fast enough for them...or those pathetic people who just have to get in front of you no matter how dangerous it is.
Most people speed every day, just a few miles an hour and its hard not to when you are being pushed in traffic and intimidated.
Women doing thirty five in a thirty limit are easy pickings and guaranteed funds.I wish the police would get their priorites right and go after the really dangerous drivers.
Id do the course and save the points all the same, its good to say Ive got a clean icence and you might even make a friend on the course.dont worry about it Fran, it isnt that important in the greater scheme of things.
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 01:02 |
Andrew
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Re: speeding
Hi Fran,
I copped a speding fine a couple of years ago (36 in a 30 area). I chose to go on the course and actually it was alright and quite informative. It's a bit classroom'ish and each person has a station in front of them so they can go through various questions and observation tests to try and inform about good driving practices and driving distances etc, all at your own speed. There was a mix of men and women.
However, if you feel you will be pressurized or intimidated in a room full of people then perhaps it's best not to do it but it was pretty painless.
I hope this helps.
Andrew
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 08:22 |
John H
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Re: speeding
Not many of you are thinking clearly and dispassionately and that is understandable.
Take the course not the points.
If you took the points just think how sick you would be if you got done again. That would really cost you on your insurance.
Hugs,
John x
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 08:33 |
Glen
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Re: speeding
Fran,
This happened to me too, 5 months after my husbands' death. It was 11pm at night and I was looking for a hotel in an unfamiliar area. 36mph in a 30 zone. Talk about angry! I am a slow driver anyway, my children joke about how slow I go and one lapse and I'm caught!
Having had a clean licence for over 30 years I decided to do the course, which I was not looking forward to, as it had to be taken in the police area where the offence was committed and this was in Hampshire. (I live in Leics).
Anyway took a whole day out of my life in July and I can honestly say that it is nothing to worry about. You're not lectured, it's a flip chart presentation and informal discussion.
People were generally in the same boat, first offence and wanted to keep a clean licence.
I just wish I had a speed camera on the road outside my house as they speed past at 50 in a 30 zone!
Please don't worry about it, we've all experienced far worse on this site and are getting through it.
Glen
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 08:33 |
Jude
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Re: speeding
Fran
My advice would be take the points and forget the course at this time. I have had some experience of running speed reduction seminars on a professional basis and they often get people in to talk about loved ones they have lost in road traffic accidents or show videos of bereaved people talking about accidents. Shock tactics for those well over the limit I know but at this time, think about how you would cope with this in a room full of strangers who don't know or understand what you have been through.
In this day and age, three points is nothing to be ashamed of.
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 09:29 |
sophia
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Re: speeding
Dear Fran,
I have had three points on my licence since 2003 - they affect your car insurance for five years after the misdemeanor. If there had been a course offered to me, I would have taken it. I think you should do the course and have a clean licence which will save you car insurance money and save you the stress of worrying whether you will inadvertantly commit another offence. (three strikes and then out, I believe)
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 11:06 |
Martyn
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Re: speeding
Hi Fran/Sophia
Insurance companies don't ask about points on the licence, they specifically ask about convictions for motoring offences. I wouldn't want you to fall foul of an insurance claim if you needed to make one and you should consider this when answering the questions that are asked.
Martyn
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 11:14 |
barb
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Re: speeding
fran. hadnt heard from you in ages and wondered why.
i did 34 in a 30 zone and chose not to do the course. a friend told me the courses are intimidating and mostly lots of youngsters.i just paid the fine and got the points,no big deal really and as long as you tel the insurance co. they dont penalise you for it.
just a case of being more careful in the future, regardless of what speed you or i did, its too fast.
hope your well.
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 12:08 |
Anon
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Re: speeding
SPEEDING IS A MOTORING OFFENCE - AND EVEN 3 POINTS WILL PUT UP YOUR INSURANCE PREMIUM.
THERE IS ALWAYS THE RISK YOU WILL BE CAUGHT AGAIN!
PLEASE DO THE COURSE.
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 12:22 |
linda
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Re: speeding
Hi Fran,
How about making this as easy as possible and just taking the points.
Then its over and done and you can put it behind you cause its too trivial to allow it to become any bigger.
Take care, Linda x
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 13:03 |
sophia
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Re: speeding
I have just today renewed my car insurance - this involved:
1. declaring the motoring conviction SP30
2. telling them how many points are on my licence and what the fine was
3. the date of the offence
Given that my husband lied on his life insurance form re smoking, I don't need to be told about the importance of declaring all details re my speeding conviction.
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 13:14 |
Caro K
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Re: speeding
Sorry - must disagree with Linda.
Taking the points does not mean it is over and done with!
You have to send your licence to the DVLA for the points to be put on. You have to pay the fine. The points stay on for 4 years. They do not come off automatically - you have to write to the DVLA to have them removed.
You have to declare the points to your car insurance company and your premium will increase. You run the risk of getting more points - it is easy to exceed the 30/ 40 mile speed limit!!!
Please just do the course - it runs for a fairly short time and then you have a nice clean license.
We widows cannot afford to risk losing our licence and our freedom now we are responsible for getting ourselves around.
DO THE COURSE PLEASE.
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 14:41 |
Yvonne1
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Re: speeding
A friend of mine (caught at last for speeding) did the course - found it a very well spent day, and I doubt she will get cought again - but who knows?
Von1
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 15:09 |
tbd
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Re: speeding
D did the course just before he died. It was no problem and everyone was quite normal there. You can choose where you do it and it wasn't a big deal.
Don't listen to all the gossip - you have faced worse. Taking the points is not the easy option. They last for 4 years and when I had points it did increase my insurance the year after.
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 15:46 |
linda
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Re: speeding
Hi again Fran, well you have lots of replies and varying opinions.
Fran you said two things in your post which to me show what you feel about this
1. Its the last straw at the moment
2. fills me with horror
I think you know what to do my friend, but remember it is your decision.
Love Linda x
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 16:15 |
Lee
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Re: speeding
Take the course. I got points on my licence through a speed camera at about 2am in Oct 06, the year my wife died. I was ding 56 in a 50 and no other traffic around. I never even got offered the speed awareness course.
At least you have the choice.
Oh an by the way the points are the frist ever endorsements on my licence, gutted
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 18:05 |
H
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Re: speeding
Fran, you asked us what you think you should do but most people have replied with what THEY would do.
You do what YOU want to do.
H
Posted on 24/07/2008 at 18:28 |
sheila
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Re: speeding
I agree, people are telling you their experiences but you asked us what you should do.
If the course sounds too scary and too much at the moment, dont do it.
3 Points on your licence is nothing compared to what has happened.
Do what is manageable and bearable.
Dont do the hard route, just make it as possible for yourself at the moment, you have enough to cope with.
Sheila
Posted on 25/07/2008 at 10:40 |
