Speeding Fines and the Corona Virus

david500

A small insignificant matter I know compared to everything else but
On the 27th December I triggered a speed camera doing 36 in a 30 mph zone. This was my first speeding offence in nearly 44 years of driving
I admitted guilt and was offered 3 options
Fixed Penalty Fine plus 3 points, attendance at Magistrates Court or a Speed Awareness course
I opted for the Speed Awareness course, paid the fee and booked it for last week
A few day before the Course it was cancelled because of the Lockdown
I have now received a new letter of intended prosecution from the Police offering me a Fixed Penalty Fine with 3 points or attendance at a Magistrates Court but no offer of a Speed Awareness Course which has now apparently been withdrawn
Contrary to National Policy I must now have 3 points on my licence which could have substantial effects on my insurance costs, employment etc and other things going forward
which I do not think this is very fair
 

Browntoa

It's bad luck that the speed awareness courses have been withdrawn as an option nationwide.

But you were speeding

Andy_L

A single sp30 will have no noticeable effect to your premium compared to shopping around

Jeremy535897

A previous thread asked why the speed awareness course cannot be done online. The problem is that the nature of the course (I know this from an attendee as I've never been on one myself) is designed to present in a very forceful way the risks of speeding, and it just wouldn't have the same impact online.

sliphi

david500 said:

A small insignificant matter I know compared to everything else but
On the 27th December I triggered a speed camera doing 36 in a 30 mph zone. This was my first speeding offence in nearly 44 years of driving
I admitted guilt and was offered 3 options
Fixed Penalty Fine plus 3 points, attendance at Magistrates Court or a Speed Awareness course
I opted for the Speed Awareness course, paid the fee and booked it for last week
A few day before the Course it was cancelled because of the Lockdown
I have now received a new letter of intended prosecution from the Police offering me a Fixed Penalty Fine with 3 points or attendance at a Magistrates Court but no offer of a Speed Awareness Course which has now apparently been withdrawn
Contrary to National Policy I must now have 3 points on my licence which could have substantial effects on my insurance costs, employment etc and other things going forward
which I do not think this is very fair
 

The police are not obliged to offer you a speed awarement course.

The UK Road Offender Education (UKROEd) who operate, manage, administer and develop the scheme on behalf of the Police Service, suspended all courses w.e.f. 9am on 20th March 2020, for a period of at least 12 weeks (maybe longer).

This is because you attending one would not comply with the restrictions in place.
i.e to stay home except for essential shopping or medical needs or travelling to work (where you are unable to work from home), to attend court, etc

It would also presumably be a gathering of more than 2 people (other than those is your household) which is also banned.

You will not receive 3 points unless you are found guilty (either after trial or on plea, or you accept the FPN)

I suggest you seek independant legal advice from someone who specialises in legal matters. There is obviously no legal precident set in regards this particular situation as yet, I'm sure Mr Loophole could offer you some good advice (if you can afford him, but he probably will charge a lot more than your insurance will cost). Perhaps an abuse of process application may be a possible legal way forward?

But a public forum is not the place to obtain such legal advice.

#StayHome,SaveLives

Redundancyissues

I have a course booked for June, I was hoping they would just let me reschedule if it was cancelled. Are you at least getting your course payment refunded? 

neilmcl

david500 said:

I must now have 3 points on my licence which could have substantial effects on my insurance costs, employment etc and other things going forward
which I do not think this is very fair
 

None of that is going to happen for a single SP30 offence.

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/company-car-tax-and-legislation/2020/04/02/coronavirus-speed-awareness-courses-suspended

Contact the force in question to see if they will offer an extension.

neilmcl

Jeremy535897 said:

A previous thread asked why the speed awareness course cannot be done online. The problem is that the nature of the course (I know this from an attendee as I've never been on one myself) is designed to present in a very forceful way the risks of speeding, and it just wouldn't have the same impact online.

There are online courses available. Drivetech provide them.