Caught speeding

[Deleted User]

A friend has been caught speeding (doing 81 in a 70mph zone); she received the NIP after a week. She is worried sick about it as she has never been caught speeding in all her 40 odd years of driving. She doesn't usually go fast, but I think on this occasion, her concentration lapsed as she is having some personal issues. I tried to tell her that she may get a Self awareness course instead of a fine and points on her license, but I'm afraid she doesn't believe that the police would be so lenient as the speed difference is very high. Can anyone else please give me their opinions, as I must admit , I'm not so sure myself. I thought they may allow about 10% over the limit, so I'm not sounding very convincing with her.

sgtbush

i think the option of a speed awareness course should be included within the NIP notice-- 81 in a 70 zone is not too high i dont think

cajef

[quote=[Deleted User];discussion/3983629]She is worried sick about it as she has never been caught speeding in all her 40 odd years of driving. .[/QUOTE]


Why is she worried sick, thousands of people get caught speeding, if she does get a fine and points on her licence it is hardly the end of the world, she is not going to get banned or put in jail for doing 11mph over the limit.

gravitytolls

I went on a speed awareness course at 13 miles over the limit. There were others with higher speeds than mine,and less. The criteria is based on driving history, so if she's had a clean record so far, she should be offered this. If she'd been doing 30 miles over the limit, may be different,but I thinkshe'll be ok.

Have to say, I'm glad I went, I learned things I never ever knew,or had forgotten from the highway code.

[Deleted User]

sgtbush wrote: »

i think the option of a speed awareness course should be included within the NIP notice-- 81 in a 70 zone is not too high i dont think

Are you sure that the SAC should be included in the NIP? All they're asking her at the moment is to confirm the name of the driver and the driver number. I thought that the police will then send her a letter detailing the options, ie either accept fixed penalty fine of £60 and points the SAC or to appear in court. But again, not sure of the procedure.

Orford

All offers to do the course are at the discretion of the police, but the general guideline for eligibility is if you are within 10% of the limit, plus 9mph. Whether you’re offered the course is solely at the discretion of the prosecuting police force.

Many constabularies don’t offer the course at all.

You can’t apply to do the course, you can only be offered it.

You will be offered the course at the same time as they write to you to inform you you’ve been caught. If you aren’t made an offer at this time, you can try replying with a request to do the course, outlining your suitability- but that’s about all you can do.

[Deleted User]

cajef wrote: »

Why is she worried sick, thousands of people get caught speeding, if she does get a fine and points on her licence is hardly the end of the world, she is not going to get banned or put in jail for doing 11mph over the limit.

Yes - I know. That's what I keep telling her, but she is close to breaking point at the moment with all that's going on in her life. This is one thing that she could have done without.

give_them_FA

If it was camera enforcement, the obvious reason that no SAC has so far been offered, is that the Police first have to ascertain the identity of the driver! Only then will they decide what to offer. But even if it is not a SAC should be fixed penalty and 3 points. Not the end of the world.

[Deleted User]

Orford wrote: »

You will be offered the course at the same time as they write to you to inform you you’ve been caught. If you aren’t made an offer at this time, you can try replying with a request to do the course, outlining your suitability- but that’s about all you can do.

Not sure about this quote. Surely before an offer for an SAC is made the police need to determine who was actually driving the vehicle, as it may be possible that the driver may already have several points on the license. As I understand it, the SAC is usually offered to first time offenders, although admittedly, at the discretion of the prosecuting officer.

clivejohnson

Your friend will be fine. If she was in a 70 zone, you,have to be doing 96mph+.

also you are only allowed to attend one course in every three year period, so again,,she should be ok.

I also got caught for speeding this time last year, and when the NIP came through, i was given the chance to take a DAC. I was 44 in a 40 and because it was relativley low (only 4mph) i was offered a four hour course. From memory, it was the higjer over the limit you go, the longer the course will be (up to 8 hours)

More info http://http://www.dorset.police.uk/default.aspx?page=602

[Deleted User]

Thank you Clive for your post - unfortunately, I can't open your link, but your post has been very reassuring. My friend is in her late 60's and this has come as a bit of a shock especially as she has kept a clean license throughout her driving years. I just want to ease her worrying!!!