I had the need for speed! Sadly, the police disagreed :( (36 in a 30 content)

Tj on one of these courses, I could see it lasting 36 hours with all the debating!

I did a course a few months back.

It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, quite well done really. But if you’re coming away thinking “wow, that was really informative and I learned a lot” then you probably should be having a good long think about public transport. Which, sadly, was probably a large percentage of the room.

Some of the things the other attendees came out with was comedy gold. One lad admitted that he didn’t know any road signs at all; he was told when learning that the signs questioned on the test were always the same ones, so he learned those half dozen and didn’t bother with the rest.

I did the course. Interestingly it was run by a foreign lady, Mexican I think; turns out she was a lesbian. Kept in touch for a while afterwards then she just suddenly stopped answering my texts or emails. Never did find out what happened to her.
Sorry, what was the original question..?

Been on a few Courses as an Observer and always it seemed that 2 types of people attended, the ones who would listen and absorb some infomation and the ones who didnt give a ….

Can generally guess what they are going to be like when they pull up in the car park.

I would say defo tell your insurance no matter what, and at least enjoy the course. There will be some info to take away, and they could even save you money on fuel by looking ahead and planning more.

The best or most scary bit will be the answers from the other people….”well you dont check your speedo when youve passed your test do ya” is one what will stay with me forever.

It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, quite well done really. But if you’re coming away thinking “wow, that was really informative and I learned a lot” then you probably should be having a good long think about public transport. Which, sadly, was probably a large percentage of the room.

There’s some divvies in there, it’s true. If anything you’ll come out with a glow of smugness around you. But the course I was on was full of interesting stuff all the same.

One example that I remember was a story about a car accident. Aside from the speeding car approaching from behind, there were two things which led to the driver living out the rest of his days in a wheel chair: As he waited to turn right off the main road just out of sight over the brow of a hill, he turned his wheels, ready to go. Because of this when he was hit from behind he was pushed into the oncoming traffic. And on impact his toolbox came through the back seats and almost went through him, breaking his spine.

The wheel thing I may or may not have done previously on a sub-conscious level. I don’t know, it’s just not something I ever thought about. But every time I wait to turn right now the wheels are straight, I make sure of that.

And neither would I have thought of putting the seat belts on in the rear despite having no passengers – which if the guy in the above story had done, he probably would have walked away.

The course was full of little nuggets like that, and so I can say it had a positive influence on me.

I was also caught speeding having just entered a 30 zone on a Sunday afternoon, outside of a school – a road I would normally crawl round at 20mph during the week. So partially felt a bit miffed with myself for speeding the one day there was a camera there, and partially a bit miffed that they put a camera there the one day no one’s about. So it was interesting to learn too that as many kids are knocked over and killed outside of schools on a weekend as there are through the week. I walked out thinking, you know what, that’s a fair cop, and have had a much greater appreciation for the speed limits since.

I suppose it depends on who you get, and I guess there might even be different course providers, different material, etc, but the one I done was a stark contrast to the patronising letter I got from the Police beforehand telling me that I’d been a very naughty boy.

I did the course. Interestingly it was run by a foreign lady, Mexican I think; turns out she was a lesbian. Kept in touch for a while afterwards then she just suddenly stopped answering my texts or emails. Never did find out what happened to her.
Sorry, what was the original question..?

Hmmm.

*puts psling’s name on list marked ‘they know too much*

Think I might be having a few points coming my way. I came off the M1 in Luton as I approached some lights about 400m away I noticed a mobile camera. Not sure if I was in a 30 or 40.

Plus I’ve got 6 points for driving an uninsured vehicle from when I had three vehicles on my company. The one I took out hadn’t been automatically insured like the other two. And my own car was insured. Police said they would have let it go if a special hadn’t called it in

Due a ban?

What speed were you doing?

Not sure
Came off the M1, Hit about 1/4 mile of dual carriageway. Took a left at a roundabout then was slowing for the lights. The copper was at the lights.
I didn’t see any speed signs the entire length of the road and it became residential further on so I’m assuming it’s a 30. The speed sign must be at the exit of the roundabout?
We’ll see.
I was under 40

Can you find the location on google maps? You might be able to.spot the speed limit signs.

40 in a 30 would be 3 points and therefore no ban.

Ooh good shout

40 in a 30 would be 3 points and therefore no ban

You would be on your last life though…

It’s interesting, I was reading an old piece in MBR the other day with Guy Martin. He had 21 points on his licence and was still driving around legally! Apparently the judge asked him if it would affect his work…since he races motorbikes and fixes trucks for a living he let him keep his licence…

I did the speed awareness course and thank goodness I was caught on the Englandshire side of the M74.. there is no course for Scotlandshire residents..

Thought it was good, informative ant no attitudes by the folk running it. Plus the tea wasnt stewed…

Was told on the day that the police don’t record it as an offence, don’t pass it to their prosecution team, don’t mention it to Swansea and therefore in regard to insurance companies, it didn’t happen and there is no obligation to declare it nor can they insist you do so.

They said they only invite folk travelling between 78 – 82 on to the course which was called a minor discretion as opposed to 82+ which is known to be speeding.

So with this in mind I would’nt declare it as there is no record of prosecution, or would you be happy to incriminate yourself to the insurance company at your own free will each time you did 31mph ?

Aplogies for the lack of Mexican lesbian or kittens face or Robin murdering references. Or driving into a bus stop full of teenage nuns.

@oldgit

Surely, if you haven’t been on one in last 3 years, and get invited, you could go on an awareness course and dodge the points?

30mph

Surely, if you haven’t been on one in last 3 years, and get invited, you could go on an awareness course and dodge the points?

It isn’t offered to everyone. Depends on your speed. The county. Etc.

It isn’t offered to everyone. Depends on your speed. The county. Etc.

Oh really? So theoretically this thread could be a waste of time, as I may not even be offered the course?

Well. The more you know. I figured it was offered as an alternative in all situations. Well, looks like I will have to hold off and see what I get offered after filling out the ‘I was driving officer, please punish me’ document.

Generally it’s for lesser offences e.g. 36, 37 etc in a 30, 50 or less in a 40, those kind of things. Speed limit + 50% usually gets you a proper going over, not some namby pamby **** slappy wristy coursey.*

*graduate of two myself. 🙂

Wunhundred!

…or rather, 70, officer.

Naturally, as you were the OP, I thought it only fair to set it up for you siree!

Hot that day was it? 🙂

You set ’em up. I’ll knock ’em down.

Oh, it was a scorcher!

Hmmm…doesn’t look like a Finesta dash. 😉

Hmmm…doesn’t look like a Finesta dash.

That’s my speeding dash. I clip it on when I am terrorising tarmac.

Apparently the judge asked him if it would affect his work…since he races motorbikes and fixes trucks for a living he let him keep his licence…

I don’t think the excuse that it’d affect your work works anymore. If it’d affect a load of other people as well though then I think it’s another matter.

I was last up before the beak 4 years ago and they were still accepting mitgating statements then. Good job for me as I was probably going to be walking a bit more often as a result of my, errr, indiscretion. That’s the trouble with Veyron’s, one slip of the big toe and yer in deepus shitus. Strangely, it was 28.5C that day as well….

I had to go on a course for quite a few weeks. They didn’t take into consideration I had a job and a livelihood. It’s either turn up or back to court. Ok, I **** up big time, far too fast and over the booze limit, but you shouldn’t have to lose everything for one big stupid mistake. I suppose I could’ve killed someone though and it’s one of those things you have to live with 🙁

Crime+time etc=froth+virrulent Daily Mailesque ranting… You’ve started it now…

I’m not sure how that’s Daily mail-esque ranting. Just telling the truth.

Sorry Kev, I meant you’ll get some from ‘the audience’, they like a good lynching round ere.

DC. Speeding is speeding, it’s only excusable to a degree if you’re in an emergency i.e. driving someone to hospital.

What about when they put 60 limits 3 times in a row on the variable speed cameras that are on the m6, when it’s perfectly clear….followed by a 50…and then another two 60’s. Meaning that 90 percent of the drivers get flashed by the 50 camera?

you’re right Boblo. probably why I posted that. There’s nothing I can do about it though.

What about when they put 60 limits 3 times in a row on the variable speed cameras that are on the m6, when it’s perfectly clear….followed by a 50…and then another two 60’s.

Lol.. as if that makes any difference.

You may not agree with the rules, but they are still the rules, they are very very simple.

Ok, I **** up big time, far too fast and over the booze limit, but you shouldn’t have to lose everything for one big stupid mistake

Holy shit.. are you trolling? You’re lucky you still have a license, if I were in charge you wouldn’t have. Better you lose “everything” ie your job than some poor innocent sod really does lose everything. Speeding AND drinking? 😯

I know mate, the more I think about it the worse I feel. No I’m not trolling, but I am a normal person who cocked up.

Fair play.. can’t ask for more than that.