points vs speed course

TadleyBaggie

Interestingly many courses are run by the AA, I wonder if they keep a record for their own insurance purposes...

z1a

No .

shaun_from_Africa

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

Interestingly many courses are run by the AA, I wonder if they keep a record for their own insurance purposes...

I very much doubt if it would be legal for the AA SAC dept to pass on details of course attendees to the AA insurance department without the explicit permission of the people on that course.
With the Data protection act and the GDPR, data handlers and processors have to be extremely careful about what they do with personal date under their control.

System

Mercdriver wrote: »

There's another side to that though. You never know when you would be better off having 3 fewer points than you have without the opportunity to take a course. For example, commit an offence where you get 6 points, and you are suddenly just one course ineligible offence away from totting. I would take the course.

Well I've only had 3 points in 30 years and I drive 2000-2500 miles a week all over the UK as I have done for much of that period and as the only offences you can get 6 points for I will never commit I'm not going to be overly worried. If you're someone who racks up points on a more regular basis then maybe the course is better for you but I'd rather pay the money than lose a day's wage listening to someone rambling on about something I have diametrically opposing views to. You wouldn't know from the amount of effort, money and police resources spent on enforcement that speeding was only a contributory factor in 5% of accidents, even lower than inappropriate speed (driving too fast for conditions but not exceeding speed limit) and just 1/10th the percentage that is the main cause, driver error.

Mercdriver

Tarambor wrote: »

Well I've only had 3 points in 30 years and I drive 2000-2500 miles a week all over the UK as I have done for much of that period and as the only offences you can get 6 points for I will never commit I'm not going to be overly worried. If you're someone who racks up points on a more regular basis then maybe the course is better for you but I'd rather pay the money than lose a day's wage listening to someone rambling on about something I have diametrically opposing views to. You wouldn't know from the amount of effort, money and police resources spent on enforcement that speeding was only a contributory factor in 5% of accidents, even lower than inappropriate speed (driving too fast for conditions but not exceeding speed limit) and just 1/10th the percentage that is the main cause, driver error.

But the OP isn't asking you what you as a person would do, but what HE should do. Getting a 6 point speeding conviction is as easy as mistaking a 30mph limit for a 50mph one. It's easier than many would think. Unless you think you are incapable of ever making an error, in which case congratulations, the world is celebrating your birthday, Jesus Christ.

fatbelly

yorkshireOAP wrote: »

Thanks for your comments, seems to have got a minor debate going.
I have booked the course as letter says do the course ---no points and no fine. No brainer. Fortunately I am retired so no loss of earnings.
Roy

I did the course last month - 60 in a 50 zone! First time caught in over 40 years!

Actually enjoyed the course though I thought it was a bit of a rip-off at £88. I did learn a few things. My course was run by an independent organisation and a couple of driving instructors took it.

Joe_Horner

^^^What fatbelly said.

Yes, the cost of the course is quite high for what's involved. but it's still (in his case) £12 cheaper than the alternative, and with no points.

As for insurance, it's one of those things where if you don't tell them they have no way of knowing because the course operators and DVLA don't share attendance with anyone - they're quite clear on that. More to the point, if they were planning to then they'd have to get your explicit permission to do so.

Of course, utmost faith might require you to still mention it if you believed it was a relevant factor. But utmost faith is a 2 way street that would also require the insurers to tell you beforehand (and without any self-incriminating enquiries from you) what effect it would have - along with all their other secret calculation in arriving at your premium!

System

Joe_Horner wrote: »

^^^What fatbelly said.

Yes, the cost of the course is quite high for what's involved. but it's still (in his case) £12 cheaper than the alternative

Only if you don't work so don't lose a day's wages and you don't have to travel to where the course is.

Joe_Horner

Most people have a thing called paid holiday available, and you get 3 months to complete the course so should be possible to keep that days pay.

I'm self employed, so get no paid time off at all, but it was still worthwhile to do the course a couple of years ago - just had to work a little quicker either side of it to catch up.

Gers

No choices in Scotland- no courses!