37 in a 30mph zone - fair cop - now what?

georgiac

After years of being smug about my OH's points and my clean licence I've been caught speeding, 37 in a 30 zone. No excuse, going to fast, hands up, it's a fair cop.

I've received the letter asking who was driving. What are the chances of me being offered one of those nice days out, not exactly a track day in a F40 but similar, speed awareness course I think they are called?

Does anyone know how they calculate who gets offered one?

This was a speed camera van in Lancashire so I guess the course would be at Leyland where that young chap Wayne Rooney did his.

ArsenalFC

Umm.... I dont quite think they will offer you a driving course for your speeding offence. More like a small fine and perhaps a 3 points penalty.

georgiac

Al_Mac wrote:

I think 35 is the limit in a 30 for that option

Thanks for the responses. I thought it was 35, but my friend was offered it at 36mph, so it's obviously a little flexible.

chatty123

hi.georgiac i have just been caught doing the exact same thing as you. i was in a strange town and got caught by the speed camera hidden in the back of a police people carrier. 37 in a 30 zone. my choice was the speed awareness course or a £60 fine and 3 points. as i have held a clean driving licence for 25 years i was devastated so thought i would take the speed awareness course, of which is at a cost of £85.. i telelphoned for the nearest course centre and was told my nearset was 55miles from my home. So as i am disabled my disability wouldn't allow me to drive that distance and then sit a 2/3 hour theory followed by 2/3 hour driving and then the 55 miles back home..so i had to take the £60 fine and the 3 points...

georgiac

Al_Mac wrote:

Test out your sweet and innocent smile

Try to picture Angelina Jolie. Then think her first husband, yup the famous Billy Bob smile! Only kiddin'.

Gone are the days of being pulled over by the policeman on a big bike and being able to sweet talk him. How the hell are you supposed to flirt with a gatso!!!!!!!!!!!

georgiac

Chatty, that is awful. It seems like discrimination to me. I guess I'm fortunate that ours is within 10 miles and I'm able to drive long distances.

I think I would have contested the issue and at least informed them of their actions and implications.

At the end of the day we were speeding so we have to take whatever medicine they decide to dish out. but that seems very harsh.

On the other point , you've given me a little hope with the 37mph issue. If you were offered the course I may be too. Thanks.

chatty123

i did write to the chief constable but after 2 weeks when i never had a reply i had to send off my £60 as i didn't want the fine to increase.. i know i had offended so i had to pay for it but there was no leeway at all. so much for my clean driving licence

derrick

georgiac wrote:

After years of being smug about my OH's points and my clean licence I've been caught speeding, 37 in a 30 zone. No excuse, going to fast, hands up, it's a fair cop.

I've received the letter asking who was driving. What are the chances of me being offered one of those nice days out, not exactly a track day in a F40 but similar, speed awareness course I think they are called?

Does anyone know how they calculate who gets offered one?

This was a speed camera van in Lancashire so I guess the course would be at Leyland where that young chap Wayne Rooney did his.

The following is part of a piece from the LEP, a couple of years ago, so it might be worth phoning and asking them.

The police allow drivers to go an additional 10% plus 2mph over the speed limit before taking action.
In Lancashire, motorists caught speeding in a 30mph zone are only automatically prosecuted when driving at 36mph, which is actually 20% over the limit.
For those "flashed" at 35mph, there is the option of attending a speed awareness course, to avoid a fineand the three penalty points. Lancashire is one of only a handful of places nationwide to offer this.

Linda Sanderson, communications
manager, Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety, Preston
01772 534531

georgiac

Thanks Derrick, I know 36 is always the figure mentioned for the courses but I was under the impression( probably wrongly) that it had been increased in the last 18 months.

trippy

I was doing 37 in a 30 and was offered a speed awareness course. I was told on the course it is offered to people doing 36 or 37 mph. I would highly recommend the course - not just cos it's a way of getting off the points but because it's a brilliant eye opener. I haven't speeded since and it was worth every penny. It also inspired me to start an Advanced Driving course.

I did mine in Burnley.

georgiac

Thanks Trippy, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear. Not that I'll be offered it, but there's a chance. Just don't want points if I can avoid it.