speed awareness course

neilmcl

There's loads in Wales which is why if the OP knew the course operator they could probably contact them to move it. OP who have you actually spoken to about this?

hcb42

I know when I did mine I could search nationally - I wanted a weekend day course..

kirkofski

Something else to consider, some insurance companies are apparently asking if you've been on one of the awareness courses and increasing premiums;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20328860

Joe_Horner

How do you work out £200 in fuel and 6 - 7 hours each way?
We're on Anglesey (about as far into Wales as you can get from Coventry) and it takes us about 4 hours and maybe £25 fuel each way in a 1966 Daf (we drive it fairly regularly)

Lum

£200 from south wales to Coventry? Are you going to attend in your fully laden van or something? Ok so I'm east of Newport but I can do Coventry in about 2 hours and probably £30 worth of diesel in the Mondeo.

As for the courses, it's a little tricky. Most forces are offering speed awareness courses, there is indeed one in south wales, but you've probably been offered a red light course and this is a relatively new scheme that isn't operating everywhere yet.

Just be glad it's not one of the even newer ones like the considerate driver course or you may have had to go to Hull.

capeverde

Ok thanks for the replies. Just to run through the points, firstly my secretary has dealt with it all. I didnt request photos at the time because I remember the lights and it was one of those touch and go moments, but the lights did seem to change really quickly. In all honesty if I hadn't been towing such a heavy load I would have probably stopped.

I asked her to request details of the nearest centre before agreeing to the course. I was told it was within 40 miles. If they had said at the time it was so far away, I would have either tried to fight it or took the points.

We contacted them on receipt of this information and they told us that the course has recently changed (in between my initial inquiry and them sending the details) and that this is now the nearest centre, which I think is wrong as it obviously has a bearing on my decision.

Where I live to coventry is about 6 hours and I drive a seriously thirsty 4x4 which I use for towing and in the country, so I wont have much change left from the amount I mentioned.

I dont go on trains / coaches and from where I live it usually involves about 24 hours and 10 changes as well as screaming kids and cramped seats. Id rather have a ban let alone 3 points.

I suppose the main point of my post is this. Do I have any recourse give I was provided with incorrect information in the first place. If for example I now decided to challenge the initial offence, would this be permissable and if so, do you think the photos would still be available?

Jack_Regan

capeverde wrote: »

Ok thanks for the replies. Just to run through the points, firstly my secretary has dealt with it all. I didnt request photos at the time because I remember the lights and it was one of those touch and go moments, but the lights did seem to change really quickly. In all honesty if I hadn't been towing such a heavy load I would have probably stopped.

I asked her to request details of the nearest centre before agreeing to the course. I was told it was within 40 miles. If they had said at the time it was so far away, I would have either tried to fight it or took the points.

We contacted them on receipt of this information and they told us that the course has recently changed (in between my initial inquiry and them sending the details) and that this is now the nearest centre, which I think is wrong as it obviously has a bearing on my decision.

Where I live to coventry is about 6 hours and I drive a seriously thirsty 4x4 which I use for towing and in the country, so I wont have much change left from the amount I mentioned.

I dont go on trains / coaches and from where I live it usually involves about 24 hours and 10 changes as well as screaming kids and cramped seats. Id rather have a ban let alone 3 points.

I suppose the main point of my post is this. Do I have any recourse give I was provided with incorrect information in the first place. If for example I now decided to challenge the initial offence, would this be permissable and if so, do you think the photos would still be available?

Refuse the course and take it to court then. That will be where the offence took place.

As for the photos, you can have them after you have entered a not guilty plea. You have no reason to have them now as you're already admitted to being the driver.

capeverde

Surely requesting photos isnt just about whos driving. As the owner of the vehicle its down to me to provide this information anyway. Surely it also concerns the reliability of the camera, position of the vehicle etc etc. Also my taking of the course wasnt an admission of guilt, it was just an easier option when I believed it was only a few miles away. Even if I had gone to court it would have still meant driving to guildford which would have cost more even if Id have been found not guilty, so the course was a no brainer. Im hoping they may have destroyed the photos I suppose as a last resort. Failing this I will probably end up biting the bullet and going. Does seem a bit strange going on a speed awareness course when I wasnt actually speeding as well. Its not like Im some twocker going through red after seconds. Another bloody stealth tax.

Lum

At this stage you have admitted to being the driver at the time of the alleged offence. You have not admitted to any crime.

Your admission happens when you take the points, go on the course or plead guilty in a court.

If you want to fight it, court is still an option.

Jack_Regan

capeverde wrote: »

Surely requesting photos isnt just about whos driving. As the owner of the vehicle its down to me to provide this information anyway. Surely it also concerns the reliability of the camera, position of the vehicle etc etc. Also my taking of the course wasnt an admission of guilt, it was just an easier option when I believed it was only a few miles away. Even if I had gone to court it would have still meant driving to guildford which would have cost more even if Id have been found not guilty, so the course was a no brainer. Im hoping they may have destroyed the photos I suppose as a last resort. Failing this I will probably end up biting the bullet and going. Does seem a bit strange going on a speed awareness course when I wasnt actually speeding as well. Its not like Im some twocker going through red after seconds. Another bloody stealth tax.

The photos are evidence which you're not entitled to.

Amber means stop and cameras don't activate so something like 1.5 seconds after the red has come on. So you're getting near to 6 seconds after when you should have stopped.

Plus you knew you were heavy.;)

They'll destroy the photos after you've done the course or been to court.