Speeding fine - take the points or the 'course' ?

[Welly]

As per my other post, I've just been pipped for doing 35 in a 30, I know I know I should hang up my driving gloves and throw away the keys.

Anyhoo I have a clean licence so have a choice of 3 points + £60.00 fine or a Speed Awareness Course (SAC) at a cost of £90.00 but no points.

Now as far as I know 3 points doesn't mean much as far as Insurance Companies go? so I'm thinking of taking the points/fine and saving the stress of having a day off to sit in a classroom and be told off and/or made to feel like a social outcast.

What's other folks thoughts?

[Captain Jack]

I've done the course. It's not actually bad and there's some useful* information to be had. Would rather be without points than £30.. but that's me.

Mrs CJ also got papped in a 30 zone and she took the course too.

[steve_earwig]

I'm not sure if it's changed but 3 points didn't mean anything when I had them, they're so commonplace. The only worry is getting another 3 on top of them then I suspect things will change. I think I'd do the course, if it's do-able, and while you're there you can bitterly complain to the other victims about how much over the speed limit you were and why. It'll do you no good of course.

[Welly]

My insurance adviser dude through work told me they won't raise an eyebrow at 3 points but then it would be better NOT to have points in general.

The sniffy letter I received did mention a Saturday course at £95.00 so might do that if need be

[Doggy]

Do the course, you never know when the law of sod will get you another helping of points for a fractional or momentary infringement of the speed limit.

Besides, speeding in a Volvo might attract a certain kudos and admiring attention from the ladies.

[Welly]

I think you're right, and I can't risk looking like a cad 'hooning' about in my Grey Volvo; the Village will be in uproar.

Welly

Name and address withheld.

[Doggy]

I see what you mean.

Which of the Village People are you, BTW?

[Welly]

So I have had another letter since confirming it was me driving:

Option 1: Pay £100.00 fine and take 3 points. I was expecting a £60.00 fine?

Option 2: Pay £90.00 and attend the SAC, held at one of three Northamptonshire Hotels the course will take 4.5 hrs and has a 'relaxed informal approach'. There is no driving involved although you are expected to make a 'positive contribution' to the day.

Option 3: Go to Court. I wonder how that'd go? I could defend myself, WCPGW?

Place yer bets......

[Captain Jack]

For pure entertainment - go to court

[steve_earwig]

Option 3: Go to Court. I wonder how that'd go?

In my experience magistrates etc. f*ck with people's lives for their own entertainment. It's unlikely you could make things worse (well, not easily anyway) but I doubt they'd give a toss about anything you could say.

I was expecting a £60.00 fine?

Volvo tax?

[gumby6371]

When I got my little Megane I wondered to myself WTF they fitted a speed limiter for but now I've gotten used to it it's surprising how much easier driving through speed camera hot spots is. Much simpler than using CC as it drives as normal up to the max speed you've set.
As for your dilemma Welly, do the course and keep your license clean. You never know when you'll genuinely really need to get somewhere fast such as getting a loved one to hospital or God forbid you've run out of smokes/cans and the shop shuts in 5 minutes. Save those points for real emergencies!!!

[Captain Jack]

I use my limiter on the 407 all the time when going through roadworks*

[Doggy]

If the course costs less than the fine, why would you pay more to have some points on your licence?

406 doesn't have a limiter, I'm fine with cruze. The only thing I've driven with one was a truck, (and I eventually sussed how to get the CC set at 90 kph anyway).

[Welly]

What about going to Court and questioning the accuracy of their equipment? what harm could that do?



Nah, I think I've decided to 'do the course' the only drawback being you have to pay for it NOW regardless of when you take it (and that can be up to 5 months away) so you're pretty much getting a slapped wrist up front.

[Welly]

So my two kids began to book me one of those driving experience days (a Porsche and Nissan GTR) as a surprise for my Birthday until they saw something about needing a clean license, they weren't sure what to do, so now I shall not be doing that thing....