How to ask for a Speed Awareness course?

ripofflondon

Hi all

Hope this is in the right part of the forum.

I have just received a NIP from Devon and Cornwall Police for doing 76 in a 60 limit. Fair cop, but acc to this site this puts me just 1 MPH over the threshold at which the police have the discretion to offer you a speed awareness course - www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/speeding/if-youve-received-a-speed-camera-activation-letter-or-notice/

My question: is there any way I can still persuade the police to allow me to take a speed awareness course? I suppose I am asking 'what to say to them that will make them more likely to exercise their discretion in my favour?'

I did one in 2018 and my only other speeding conviction until now was 2020.

Thanks for any useful advice.

El_Torro

It would be to interesting to hear of anyone successfully arguing this point. I suspect that if anyone has tried to argue it in the past then the answer has probably been "Computer says no".

oldernonethewiser

Maybe since you have a history of speeding they would be less inclined to offer the course?

LightFlare

they will either offer you one or they won’t

There isn’t a mechanism to ask for one that hasn’t been offered

ripofflondon

All, thanks for prompt responses

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987848#Comment_81987848

I kind of wondered that but the stuff online says 1 of the criteria for being offered it is that you can't have been on 1 within the last 3 years rather than a once-in-a-lifetime thing (if once in 2018 and again in 2020 constitutes a history of speeding!)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987852#Comment_81987852

I had a horrible feeling I'd be told that but it's human to clutch at straws 🤷‍♂️

Gonk1967

Personally, I hope not, you clearly haven't learnt from the previous course or the later conviction.

Car_54

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987848#Comment_81987848

The only criteria are the speed threshold (up to 110% of the limit plus 9 mph, which the OP has exceeded) and whether the same course has been completed in the previous three years.

No account is taken of points, or even of previous disqualifications.

FWIW I have been following various traffic law forums for many years, and I have never heard of the police deviating from those guidelines.

fatbelly

Yeah, at 10% plus 10 you won't be getting a speeding course.

TadleyBaggie

Offering a course is based on the strict threshold as outlined above, never seen one offered outside of the threshold.

chrisw

A fine and points won't make much difference to you unless you already have a load of points for other offences.

ripofflondon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81988241#Comment_81988241

The £100 fine is neither here nor there - it's what it does to the insurance premium.

Until 2023 I had 6 points and it was only late last year that they became 5 years old meaning I didn't have to declare them to the insurance co any more - just frustrating that I've now got to declare points again AND when I'd only had the car a week.

I'll send a contrite email to the chief constable - nothing ventured nothing gained, if you don't ask you don't get etc etc. 

Actually, the insurance policy started on 24 April meaning it's still within the 14 day cooling off period so I could cancel it and just pay for the cover used to date - wonder if it might be worth checking if another company would load the premium less with a conviction declared at inception as opposed to one cropping up mid-term?