[Closed] Take the points and fine or the driver awareness course?

so not much difference, but some, as I stated.

Ah, so you are splitting hairs. Near to 100% as makes no difference.

[quote=nickjb ]

Not all cameras are yellow boxes which you can see before they nab you.

OK 99% of speed cameras are clearly visible if that makes you happier.

Not before they nab you they aren't.

Not to you anyway. Different thing. Autonomous car would have spotted them.

Near to 100% as makes no difference

not really. I dispute your 99% figure (source?) but seeing as you were agreeing with me I let it slide. Even using your dubious figure proving that you in that 99% is a small change, hence the small change in premium I showed.

Not before they nab you they aren't

that's the point. They are clearly visible to an observant road user. They are invisible to someone who is distracted or not paying attention (ie a driver at greater risk of being in an accident.

I'd hazard that [i]most[/i] speed cameras are clearly visible these days. The only exception I can think of off the top of my head are the ones on the A57 (I think) which are painted dark green and posted in the trees.

That said, the range on some of them is quite startling; the vans are something like 300m IIRC, but the hand-held laser cameras have a range of about a mile. So with the best will in the world, there's a chance that by the time they're visible they've already clocked you.

[quote=nickjb ]They are clearly visible to an observant road user. They are invisible to someone who is distracted or not paying attention (ie a driver at greater risk of being in an accident.

Ah, so you reckon you'd have spotted the one which was pointed at the brow of the hill before you'd come over the brow of the hill or the one which was pointed at the bend before you came round the bend?

rocketman - Member

Direct Line - Do you need my policy number?

it must be a special policy because they were definitely loading SP30 convictions just two months ago

An SP30 is an actual conviction as I understand it. If you take the SAC the offence is technically written off.

As for the SAC, don't know about two months ago but up to last October on my Direct Line renewal I've not had any mention of needing to declare that I've been on one. If not asked about it, there is no obligation to declare it. This has been echoed by a number of the guys who run the courses also. If the insurance asks though then yes you have to answer truthfully or risk invalidating insurance.

SAC guys delivering the course I attended (83/70 motorway) had an interesting take on insurance companies. Since completing the SAC course specifically means you do not have points on your license, you should ring up any insurance company asking you to declare the SAC and ask for a discount as the evidence is that attendees are safer drivers...
They also suggested ringing the insurance ombudsman (whoever that might be) and reporting the company.

That said, the range on some of them is quite startling; the vans are something like 300m IIRC, but the hand-held laser cameras have a range of about a mile. So with the best will in the world, there's a chance that by the time they're visible they've already clocked you.

I believe the vans are up to 999m, I think the handheld ones are also type approved to that distance. They will almost certainly have got you before you notice them..