Speed awareness course vs 3 points

[Fizzy Fish]

So after 15 yrs of hooning around the country on a bike, the strong arm of the law finally cauight up with me and sent me a NIP. For driving 60 in a 50, in a CAR of all things :roll:

Now I suppose it's probably a good thing they never noticed me doing any of the stuff I did on the bike :-dd , but it does feel a bit bizarre to be picked up in the car of all things - maybe it's cos the car is an easier zap with a a speed gun as it's bigger?

And I can't help thinking if I'd just timed it a bit better the NIP thing might have got caught up in the strike action and drifted beyond the 14 days... ;)

Anyway, with a bit of luck I might get offered a speed awareness course, being a first timer and all that.

Has anyone ever done one of those courses, and was it mind-numbingly patronising or actually OK? Did you all have to hang your heads in shame throughout the duration of the course, and line up to be spanked at the end?

And if you've picked up an initial 3 points at any stage, what difference did it make to your insurance premium?

[Wideboy]

3 points generally doesnt affect you premium mine didn't.... but 3 points is 3 points, and then 6 then 9...... personally I'd do the course even is I was caned and had stuff thrown at me

[Scoobs]

I did a speed awareness course. All very jovial and not too mind-numbingly patronising.

[dizzyblonde]

Peg got his first 3 points in 20 years, last year. Didn't offer him speed awareness. he just took the points and fine on the chin, no point in crying over it. Didn't affect his premiums.

As for 3 turns to 6 turns to 9....depends how dozy you are.
I do know of someone who drives the same stretch on their commute every day, and got done three times by a mobile camera, they should know its there at random times(been there for years), but dozy fecker didn't take the first time as a warning....had to make sure they got done some more!

Suppose it depends on how you value your license, if you ain't got that and you need it for work, yer fecked ain't ya!

[Fizzy Fish]

I did a speed awareness course. All very jovial and not too mind-numbingly patronising.

You didn't say whether there was spanking. Could make all the difference to my choice! ;)

[metalangel]

Did a similar thing back in 2003 when I had a silly accident in the car...

...the other three guys in my group weren't impressed. One was a city bus driver who'd clipped an illegally parked car trying to get out of the bus stop, another was tank transporter driver in the army who'd driven a military Land Rover into a civilian car, the third was equally nondescript.

The course, though, was good. The guys were all police instructors/police bike instructors who gave some good theories, the best of which was that following too closely was THE biggest problem. The car in front can do anything it wants, no matter how stupid, and you won't have a problem if you have enough space to stop or avoid it.

Out on the road, the instructor had us absolutely flying along at NSL in the B roads around Bridgend, ensuring we had the best view around each corner and not trying to squeeze through gaps with oncoming traffic when there were parked cars.

As you can tell, I really enjoyed it, and it really improved my driving.

[startrek.steve]

I've done TWO speed awareness courses, so good they named it twice!

[lx_online]

I've done one - you don't get made to feel 'naughty' or anything. I would defo take the course, insurance increase is likely (although by the previous posts not a certainty!).

Plus, you get to laugh at people who ran red lights (not all of you are there for speeding). Well, it's funny to me.

[davepreston]

well i currently have the same choice due to BADGER
im doing the course cos its 9 quid more than the fine ,3 quid a point saved

[anna]

I´m sorry, but I couldnt help chuckle a little at this.

You hooodlum you!!

[daveyrach]

I did this course on Monday, very relaxed, very jovial and very informative (if your into that stuff), and I saved myself 3 points, so still have a clean licence, just remember if you take points you will have to declare to insurance companies for 3-5 years. If you do the course then nothing

[Reeder]

Oh how I wish I had been given the opportunity.
I am the numpty who has racked up a lot of points.
Take the course if possible!

[Viney]

I would have taken the awreness course on all the time i have been done, but its never been offered. Probably going to fast.

3 points will not make a huge difference to your premium. However, if you get another 3 within a year of the first 3, then that does, as i found out to my detriment. My premium went up over £100 just for getting the second, and it made a sizable difference even shopping around.

Awareness course

[daveyrach]

Down in the Thames Valley you can only do the course once every 3 years and for example i got caught speeding in a 30 limit, up to 35 you get away with 35-42 they offer a course, over 42mph automatic fine and point, same principle applies to other limits, 5 mph over you get away with, next 7mph course any after that is a fine and points

[metalangel]

My course had some sort of conditions against it, having done the course if there were any similar incidents in the following three years you weren't eligible for it again, or something like that.

[Fizzy Fish]

I´m sorry, but I couldnt help chuckle a little at this.

You hooodlum you!!

Yeah, lock me up and throw away the key! :lol:

Thanks for the thoughts, including the point about the potential to pick up more black marks in future and then be in more trouble re insurance, etc. I shall await my fate and take the course if offered... (fingers crossed!)

[Littlepeahead]

I think you can offer to take tjhe course as it's a first offence. Check with Raving Davis as he has one coming up soon.

[Littlepeahead]

I think you can offer to take the course as it's a first offence. Check with Raving Davis as he has one coming up soon.

[davepreston]

lph its offered to you not the other way round mate

[maviczap]

I did a speed awareness course. All very jovial and not too mind-numbingly patronising.

+1

[maviczap]

My course had some sort of conditions against it, having done the course if there were any similar incidents in the following three years you weren't eligible for it again, or something like that.
yep

[beabert]

It was ok, it wasn't what i was expecting. You wont learn a thing if you have recently passed your test. However, the older drivers seemed to take something away from it though, so the course can be beneficial.

[timwilky]

when I got my first ever points in 30 years of holding a licence (35 in a 30) no offer of a course, talking to a few cops they said they didn't ticket for less than 40. It confirmed my view that the scamera at the bottom of a hill is a revenue creation device with no safety implications.

There appears to be no consistent policy, step mum was caught at 38 and given a course.

[Scoobs]

You didn't say whether there was spanking. Could make all the difference to my choice! ;)

I'm sure they can accommodate either way Ness. ;)

[The Idle Biker]

I had to book a speed awareness course online yesterday. I'll keep an open mind and I'm sure I'll learn one or two good tips. Its a good option to take. My Missus did one last month in Bournemouth and used the rest of the day to lounge at the seaside. I chose the Winchester venue because its at the end of the A272 and I can hack down the twisties there and back!

[collis]

personally i'd fight the ticket instead of doing either, couple of stamps cost less than £60

[daveyrach]

personally i'd fight the ticket instead of doing either, couple of stamps cost less than £60

Why bother when you have been caught fair and square, weather 5mph or 50mph over speeding is speeding, also if you fight it and you lose you'll end up with a bigger fine, had a mate fought a ticket, ended up with 4 points, £175 fine & £25 costs to pay!

[Ian P]

did a speed awareness cse just before christmas last year, got caught in the company car just over the limit . when notified of the option of cse or points i opted for the cse. and to be honest i found it quite informative, and its changed the way i drive ( but not the way i ride).