Speed awareness

[maviczap]

After my brush with the speed camera van, instead of the usual 3 points and £70 fine, I got the option of going to a Speed Awareness seminar instead of prosection.

So I went for it, as you don't get 3 points, you just pay for the seminar. Seemed a better option, as I'd just got rid of the last 3 points.

I was expecting a lecture from a Policeman, but instead 2 driving trainers gave the presentation. I was good and quite informative, so I quite enjoyed it, even though it was 4hrs long. Tea and coffee was provided, so that was good.

Did you know that the latest gen of Speed cameras can pick you up at a mile and a half?

The only annoying thing was the camera van that got me was parked on the same stretch of road again as I drove to the seminar. I wasn't speeding this time, once bitten twice shy.:smt083

Hopefully he got the hire van driver who answered a mobile call at the previous roundabout, and pulled out onto it, without looking then sped off into the path of the camera van.:smt019

Hopefully justice will have been done :twisted:

[chris8886]

how far over at what limit were you? other than being informative, did you actually learn anything from it?

[maviczap]

83 in a 70. All kinds of road craft thing, some useful stuff on speed limits, plus good options in what to do if someones tailgating you. Stuff like that.

[DarrenSV650S]

That was lucky you got offered that. Wish I got that

[chris8886]

83 in a 70. All kinds of road craft thing, some useful stuff on speed limits, plus good options in what to do if someones tailgating you. Stuff like that.

dual carriageway or motorway?

[maviczap]

That was lucky you got offered that. Wish I got that

Yep, its only being going for 6 months, but they see it might be better to educate people than just prosecute.

dual carriage way

[maviczap]

You only get this option once, if you get caught again within 3 years, then its prosected. So it's similar to getting points

Your name goes on a database of having had the seminar

[hob]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1061808/Speeding-drivers-cause-3-car-accidents-figures-reveal.html?ITO=1490

tbh.

[Miss Alpinestarhero]

interesting

Never heard of that approach before. I thought it was all fines & points but there you go

[Ceri JC]

One of my mates did this, said it wasn't as patronising/simple as he expected and was vastly preferable to the points on his licence. A bit galling that it's only offered in some parts of the country and it's pot luck if where you get busted offers it. So much for consistent law enforcement, eh?

Glad you got off without the points!

[Ed]

One of my mates did this, said it wasn't as patronising/simple as he expected and was vastly preferable to the points on his licence. A bit galling that it's only offered in some parts of the country and it's pot luck if where you get busted offers it. So much for consistent law enforcement, eh?

Glad you got off without the points!

Shrewsbury loses in the postcode lottery as I wasn't offered it:(

But I've been a good boy, I have:smt083 and my 3 points come off on 29 January:D I think they stay on for an extra year - is that right - but they cease to have effect. Someone please confirm/rubbish.

[maviczap]

But I've been a good boy, I have:smt083 and my 3 points come off on 29 January:D I think they stay on for an extra year - is that right - but they cease to have effect. Someone please confirm/rubbish.[/quote]

Yes, 3 years + 1 before you can get them removed off your licence. DVLA site has the details.

But 5years before your insurance forgets about it :smt019

This is the new modern enlightend thinking approach, rather than dish out fines and points. But it isn't consistant throughout the UK.

Another interesting fact was that on a previous course, 2 magistrates and a bike cop were all on the same table!

[Bluepete]

The courses are run by the local authorities, not the Cops. If the LA want to fund one, they will, if not, points make prizes!

[maviczap]

The courses are run by the local authorities, not the Cops. If the LA want to fund one, they will, if not, points make prizes!

Yep, mine was a local authority run course. the previous provider was using hotels as venues, so there was no profit, so they lost the contract.

With the LA running it, then they use LA premises and plough any profits back into the venue.

If its held in a charity owned premesis, then any profit goes back to the charity, not the directors or shareholders pockets. :cheers: