Speeding - Speed Awareness Workshop

losgiganteskid

Just been notified of a speeding ticket. The bumf that came with the notice suggested certain "low end speeders" (whatever that means in real terms !) can opt for a Speed Awareness half day workshop instead of a fixed penalty or attending Court.

Is the workshop "free" ? - what does "low end speeders" mean ? - anyone got a clue

Shoshannah

I'm assuming a low-end speeder is someone who was going 35mph in a 30mph as opposed to 50mph in a 30mph, for example. I can't give you an exact definition as I don't know.

According to this site, you will have to pay between £60 and £100 for the course, but you don't get points on your licence.

http://www.nopenaltypoints.co.uk/SpeedAwarenessCourse.html

real1314

losgiganteskid wrote: »

Just been notified of a speeding ticket. The bumf that came with the notice suggested certain "low end speeders" (whatever that means in real terms !) can opt for a Speed Awareness half day workshop instead of a fixed penalty or attending Court.

Is the workshop "free" ? - what does "low end speeders" mean ? - anyone got a clue

Low end is usually those that are in the 3 penalty points zone, rather than more. The workshop costs a little more than a standard fine, around £80 afaik, but you don't get the points and get a clean slate.

LandyAndy

I did one about 18 months ago.

It was in Wiltshire.

Attendees had been doing between 35 and 38 in a 30 zone.

The cost was £60.

It lasted half a day and was well worth it.

Chippy_Minton_2

OP where were you caught?

Not all forces offer the course.

losgiganteskid

LandyAndy wrote: »

I did one about 18 months ago.

It was in Wiltshire.

Attendees had been doing between 35 and 38 in a 30 zone.

The cost was £60.

It lasted half a day and was well worth it.

In what respect was it "well worth it" Andy

losgiganteskid

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

OP where were you caught?

Not all forces offer the course.

Warwickshire.

I have investigated this a little further and discovered that the half day "fee" is £60 (the same cost as the fine.) I don't have any points on licence as yet, so is it best to give up a half day to sit in with the workshop and avoid the points or just to pay up and collect the point. I always thought points made prizes, and the more points you collect the bigger prize !! - or was Brucie telling porkies.

Apples2

losgiganteskid wrote: »

In what respect was it "well worth it" Andy

Sitting in a room for a couple of hours or having 3 points on your license?? what a ridiclous question.

I did a course last year, I was doing 35 on a road which had been 40mph for the 20+ years I have been driving.
Speed limit reduced to 30 whilst I was away, I entered from a side street, went past the camera which has been there for donkeys and got flashed.

For 20+ years I was a safe concientious driver, all of a sudden I am a lunatic going at 35mph.

3points or a course..... no brainer

losgiganteskid

Apples2 wrote: »

Sitting in a room for a couple of hours or having 3 points on your license?? what a ridiclous question.

I did a course last year, I was doing 35 on a road which had been 40mph for the 20+ years I have been driving.
Speed limit reduced to 30 whilst I was away, I entered from a side street, went past the camera which has been there for donkeys and got flashed.

For 20+ years I was a safe concientious driver, all of a sudden I am a lunatic going at 35mph.

3points or a course..... no brainer

According to the link shown in the post by our learned Shoshanna - the "course" is 6 hours long and can cost between £60 and £100. I think it is a brainer - if the course was £100 I would rather pay the fine of £60 and collect the points - and pocket the £40 change.

Rolandtheroadie

losgiganteskid wrote: »

According to the link shown in the post by our learned Shoshanna - the "course" is 6 hours long and can cost between £60 and £100. I think it is a brainer - if the course was £100 I would rather pay the fine of £60 and collect the points - and pocket the £40 change.

3 points on your licence declared to your insurer for 3 years? Yep, it's a no brainer.

jollyme

I'd like to put forward a different point of view here. I know this site is about moneysaving but I really feel quite strongly about this. Speed does kill!! you may well be very surprised at the content of these courses and also of peoples ignorance about the life and death facts associated with speeding. I know someone who attended one of these courses and had not been aware of certain areas of the highway code - he thought he did know, but was wrong. Things like speed limits on dual carriageways and country roads etc. Also the statistics associated with speed and injuries might not be what you expect.
Think about it, speed limits are set for a reason.
(I'll climb down from my high horse now!)