A horribly expensive mistake :(

Charliezoo

Just got stopped by the police. I lifted up my phone when it rang and then pulled over straight away to take the call, the police came out of nowhere and I've now got a fine of £60 and 3 points. It's the first time I've even been stopped in 10 years let alone fined/got points and I found it so upsetting. I don't know why I picked up my phone, I think it was just a reaction more than anything else but even though I safely pulled over into a side road to take the call they still took a hard line with me.

I know what I did was wrong and potentially dangerous but I do feel like I've been particularly unlucky, I thought that given the situation I may have just got a ticking off.

Well, I was so upset I didn't really take in what they were saying and don't know what I'm supposed to do next. Can anyone explain it to me?

TonyMMM

Did you surrender your driving licence to them ?

If not, you will need to take it in to the police station within 7 days (with the paperwork they gave you) ... they will take your licence off you, you send your £60 off ...and your licence will come back with 3 points on it.

LandyAndy

Charliezoo wrote: »

I know what I did was wrong and potentially dangerous but I do feel like I've been particularly unlucky, I thought that given the situation I may have just got a ticking off.

Well you aren't the first and won't be the last. Don't beat yourself up too much.

Oh, and don't do it again.;)

Charliezoo

TonyMMM wrote: »

Did you surrender your driving licence to them ?

If not, you will need to take it in to the police station within 7 days (with the paperwork they gave you) ... they will take your licence off you, you send your £60 off ...and your licence will come back with 3 points on it.

No I didn't have my license with me so I guess I'll need to take it in. How long do points last for? Will my insurance go up next year?

dacouch

The way I look at these types of things are they are a lesson learned, I received a penalty for driving my van through a Royal Park recently. The police were doing a crack down on this and I received a £40 fine (No points and not endorsable). The policeman was very polite and did not talk down to me, he was sympathetic and just doing his job. It was pointless arguing with him and he issued the ticket and allowed me to go on my way in no time.

I was following a friends sat nav and noticed the sign saying no vans as I was about to make the turn, the traffic stopped due to the lights and it was impossible for me not to make the turn when the lights changed due to a taxi up my chuff and to my right so I took my chance.

I learned a lesson that day and pay even more attention than I did before and make sure the sat nav is correctly programmed!

My only other offence was a seat belt ticket many years ago (I normally always wear my seat belt), it made me always use my seat belt.

Get a hands free kit and don't make the same mistake again

Fiddlestick

Charliezoo wrote: »

It's the first time I've even been stopped in 10 years let alone fined/got points and I found it so upsetting.

As a motorcyclist, I assure you that those who are killed by people using their phones whilst driving find it far more upsetting.

It you committed the crime then just take the fine and points and please don't do it again.

It only takes a moment's lapse in concentration to end someone's life on the road.

neilmcl

Charliezoo wrote: »

No I didn't have my license with me so I guess I'll need to take it in. How long do points last for? Will my insurance go up next year?

If you were issued with a producer (form HORT1) then you will have to produce your documents within 7 days. Points last for 3 years but stay on your licence for 4. Yes, your insurance may marginally rise next year.

Charliezoo

Fiddlestick wrote: »

As a motorcyclist, I assure you that those who are killed by people using their phones whilst driving find it far more upsetting.

It you committed the crime then just take the fine and points and please don't do it again.

It only takes a moment's lapse in concentration to end someone's life on the road.

I should have known I'd get a comment like this. I came on here to ask for advice on what to do next in respect of paying the fine/getting the points on my license. If you'd read my post you'd have seen that I clearly acknowledge that what I did was wrong. I certainly do not need a lesson in morality.

Hammyman

Charliezoo wrote: »

. If you'd read my post you'd have seen that I clearly acknowledge that what I did was wrong. I certainly do not need a lesson in morality.

This comment in your first post doesn't help you.

I thought that given the situation I may have just got a ticking off.

darkblue_2

I always read these types of threads and hope that it hasn't aleady boiled over into a 'you were wrong to do that' type of thing.

If someone comes and askes a direct question for advice, why should they have to take it with the usual preachy gibberish from the most insincere of nosey, two-pence interrupting pricks that litter this otherwise decent forum?

OP: My friend recently had 3 points on her licence for speeding and received a LESSER premium on her insurance. Apparently it showed "experience"... I'm not saying this will happen in all cases, but you'll have to wait and see.

Gordon_Hose

Did the officer give you anything at the roadside?