Unsecure chicken perches

[soapdragon]

Yup, got THE letter this morning; just been 'done' for speeding ! My own fault; was preoccupied and replaying a conversation I had just had in my head and concentration slipped.

 

Have the option of fine and 3 points or possibly doing some sort of course. Trouble is the phoneline is closed til 9.30am Monday so can't find out what this is about/how long it takes (have nursery and school run to fit in!)

 

On the basis of 'when in doubt ask on the Omlet forum' has anyone else done the course?

[yvonne]

Not done the course, but my OH did a similar thing a few years ago and got points (he had no choice of a course) and we have both had to pay more for insurance ever since, so if the course means you don't have to say anything to insurers, it may be worthwhile. Just a thought.

[patsylabrador]

I know several people who have done the course, its so easy to get done for speeding now and often quite unreasonable. Do the course, because you have to declare to the insurance company if you get points and your .premiums will increase for at least 4 years even though the points are only valid for three years.

They'll give you a date by which you have to do it, you go on the internet when you get your number and you will find a variety of times, dates and locations.

The course costs ninety quid but it is far cheaper in the long run.

Good Luck!

[Sammiboo]

i was done for speeding a few years ago. i didnt have the choice of the course, think it was relatively new then. one of my engineers did it a few weeks ago, he booked the day off work. i would rather do the course than get the points

[bigmommasally]

I was at an Adult Learning centre last week doing a Fostering course and there was a group of about 20 people there on a speed awareness course, complete mixed group ages & sex, I presumed they were there due to being caught speeding. None of them seemed to upset to be there.

[ohcarolina]

Do the course. It means you won't get the points and keeps your insurance down. My sister has done it and so did a colleague at work.

 

My sister was all self righteous about being caught (waste of police time blah blah blah) but then said that it did her good to go as she did learn stuff as driving has changed so much since we passed our tests lalalalalalalala years ago and its not like her to admit that she's wrong .

[Egluntyne]

I've done the course. It was excellent. I'd recommend it. It took about 4 hours. It means that you don't get points on your licence, which helps keep your insurance premiums down.

 

I agree with Ohcarolina's sister - it did make me look at things differently, and it also gave strategies that were never taught when I learned to drive.

 

You still have to stump up an amount of money equivalent to a fine, but it is worth it in my view.

[superkitty]

I've done the course, last year. It was really interesting! Plus the whole 'not getting any points on your license' thing. I was doing 34 in a 30 My first speeding ticket in 22 years of driving!

[Ms Marple]

My OH had the choice last year and did hte course- said it really did teach him a lot and is preferable to the points. I

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sounds like "the course" should be compulsory for all learner drivers .

[superkitty]

I think it should be compulsory for all drivers!

[Snowy]

I'm another one who has 'done the course' I agree, better than the points and it did teach me a lot that I hadn't previously realised. It was excellent. I arrogantly assumed I would be the only one who was 'only a little bit over' (36 in a 30) and that everyone else would be real criminal types, hardened speed nuts. But in fact we were all very similar and all agreed we had become complacent about road safety after many years of safe driving.

[Spinning Top]

Been there, done that... (I think it was about 38 in a 30 too) Great course, run by advanced driving instructors who treat you like adults not naughty children. Lots of really useful information and an excellent 'refresher' after driving about 200,000 miles in the last 30 years. Would be keen to do something similar every few years. And it only cost the same amount as the fine would have done, so absolute bargain.

[Saronne]

I've done the course recently. It was surprisingly informative. And It was full of respectable middle aged people - all looking a bit sheepish. "Ooops, word censored!"ody had gone more than 38 in a 30 mph zone. I was told that if we had done 'big' speeds, we wouldn't have been offered the course - we'd have been prosecuted.

[scubababe]

Didn't get the option when I got 'photographed' Wish I had, would have saved a lot of embarrassment of having to declare & a lot of loaded premiums.

 

If I got caught now (not that I do) I would ALWAYS go for the course. hopefully it will be taught responsibly & be more beneficial that just paying over the cash!!

[loumabel]

Im another one who has done the course. It only took a morning and we had tea and biccies provided and it cost £70.00, I think the cost varies county to county. You are only invited to do the course if you were under 10 miles an hour over the speed limit so everyone there will be similar to you. Like someone else said it was mostly middle aged people although I got stuck partnered with the only 19 year old in the room even so it was all quite painless and much better than getting the points. Also drove like a model driver for a couple of months after but all back to normal now

[soapdragon]

Thanks everybody ! I have sent off my form and am waiting to hear; apparently they don't automatically offer the course - tho I would qualify as its between 35 and 42 in a 30 zone so they clearly let you get away with up to 35 anyway:? . Just found out that a friend in the village got 'done' in exactly the same place a few months ago and did the course (£90.00 so will have to grab as many biccies as poss! )

 

I'm just about to renew my car insurance on 14th February (ahhhh, how romantic! ) and, if I took points, it would add another £17.00 decreasing incrementally over the next 4 years. Trouble is, if its not all done and dusted by the time renewall comes up I'll have to pay the extra for this year as it will be deemed 'pending'. Hoping all will come through quickly and hubs will be able to take a day off - its apparently at Upper Heyford which means that I will have to drive up near Bicester Village......... possible retail therapy on the way back (every cloud has a silver lining!!! )

 

That will teach me to pay attention!

[soapdragon]

Have now booked the course for Sat 17th March....got to be ther at 7.45am to register which means leaving home at 6.45am (ON A SATURDAY!! )

 

Doh; at least I can pop into Bicester Village and the huge garden centre shopping comples on the way back............

[gongladosh]

Don't forget that if you take the points, you pay to get the points put on your license, pay the fine, then pay to have them taken off again.