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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to go on a speed awareness course?

87 replies

suecy · 13/07/2010 16:05

OK I know I'm going to get flamed but never mind.

Recently got notice of speeding - doing 57 in a 50. I know speeding is wrong, but let's face it, we've all done it and it was a wide open road with nothing going on.

Have today had the chance to go on this course which costs the ssame as the fine but will allow me to avoid the 3 points (1st I've ever had in 25 years of driving).

I don't want to go! Common sense says I should but I just think it'll be loads of presching and telling us off and frankly I left school a quarter of a century ago.

AIBU to live with the points instead?

OP posts:
Original poster
suecy · 13/07/2010 16:05

'preaching' obviously

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 13/07/2010 16:07

yes,live with them,and the next lot and the next....cos you havent learnt your lesson really have you???

in time you'll have enough accumulated for a complete ban....and then the roads will be a bit safer for the rest of us!

Doodlez · 13/07/2010 16:07

here, read this

PeedOffWithNits · 13/07/2010 16:07

its your choice

my dad had to go one one of these last year, and found it embarrassing and a pain in the rear, but better than having the points - and hes been driving 40 years!

Wilts · 13/07/2010 16:07

I have done a speeding awareness course, it was not at all preachy. It was well run and very informative.

They are your points though, so the choice is indeed yours, but seems daft to me to not do the course.

upahill · 13/07/2010 16:08

I took the points and paid the fine when I got caught speeding last year. My sister did the course and thought it was worth it. I probably would have done but I was due to be working away from home for a while so I paid up.

Do what you want.

Morloth · 13/07/2010 16:08

If you don't have to go and you can choose the points instead just do that. Don't bitch though if you get caught again and lose your licence.

domesticdiva · 13/07/2010 16:08

YABU sorry! Go on the course woman! At least then 1. you might have a laugh meeting with other speed demons 2. your insurance won't be affected by your points and 3. you never know the instructor might be fit.

iloveasylumseekers · 13/07/2010 16:08

YANBU. If you don't want to do the course, live with the points, but don't make such a meal out of it. That's why they give you the choice, presumably.

I wish I'd had the option of a speed awareness course but I didn't; I had to take the points/fine.

yellowishpurple · 13/07/2010 16:08

It's fine, I went on one once, it wasn't preachy at all. Just incredibly boring! But better than points.

Bramshott · 13/07/2010 16:09

From friends who've gone on them, I think they are actually supposed to be quite good and very informative.

MrsC2010 · 13/07/2010 16:09

I have also done one, and it really wasn't that bad. Quite eye opening in places actually.

singsinthebath · 13/07/2010 16:10

YABU to try and justify your speeding with "it was a wide open road with nothing going on". (And yes I have 3 points on my licence - no course option available- and it was a fair cop).

scurryfunge · 13/07/2010 16:10

It's down to you, if you believe you are a great driver and the course can't teach you anything, then don't bother.

weblette · 13/07/2010 16:11

YABU, the law applies even if the road is wide and traffic-free.

Friend did one recently and said 'preachy' was the last way she'd have described it. Found it interesting.

sethstarkaddersmum · 13/07/2010 16:12

I have heard good things about these courses - people went in with the same attitude about it as you and came back feeling that it had made them a safer driver and being glad they went.

IFancyKevinELevin · 13/07/2010 16:19

I've been on one, really didn't want to go. Thought it'd be me 38 yrs old and a load of tossy boy racers.

You know what - apart from one tossy boy racer, I was the youngest there.

It was absolutely eye opening, not preachy or judgemental, you were treated like an adult not a naughty schoolkid and I learnt loads.

I was one of the women that actually cried at one point. If you want me to go into further detail as to why then let me know.

One of the best half days I have spent. I'm not exaggerating.

ChippingIn · 13/07/2010 16:20

I would take the course - surely it's better to be preached at for the day than have the points on your licence....and as lots of people have said, it sounds like the course is quite good and not too preachy anyway.

I wonder why some people are offered the option and some aren't? Area? Speed over limit?

Deliaskis · 13/07/2010 16:20

I guess that's why they give you a choice, so you get to choose. I would say though if you wold prefer to take the points, don't underestimate the long term cost of having the points, on car insurance (on yours and on any other car you drive). We tallied up the real cost of DH's points and it was about £60 increase on two policies for 3 years, plus the £60 fine, so the real cost was more like £400 than £60. Next time, we would opt for doing the course.

D

Original poster
suecy · 13/07/2010 16:20

There you go then. Thanks for all your feedback - have decided to go for it on the basis of your experiences, thank you

I accept IWBU BIANN

(I was being unreasonable but I am not now!)

OP posts:
IFancyKevinELevin · 13/07/2010 16:23

Suecy not preachy at all, believe me. It just refreshes your head to things you have taken for granted. I think everyone should do one after 10 years or so of driving.

And there is no better feeling than coming out and quoting statistics to your DH whilst criticising his driving.

upahill · 13/07/2010 16:25

Suecy It's a bit pointless putting in abbrevations and then typing the meaning out . For those that didn't know what
B I A N N stood for you should have kept them guessing!!

mazzystartled · 13/07/2010 16:27

Live with the points then. But please don't go round implying that it's unjust that you have to.

I hate it when people think that speeding isn't a crime/isn't really dangerous or hurting anyone.

mazzystartled · 13/07/2010 16:28

x posted there. glad you have changed your mind

HerBeatitude · 13/07/2010 16:30

Oh why are you putting this in AIBU?

You know yabu don't you?

"I just think it will be..." on the basis of no information, just kneejerk prejudice, is really tiresome.

And yes, we've all done it, but some of us are sensible / aware enough, to actually slow down to within the legal speed limit, when we see the speed camera. The fact that you didn't/ couldn't, does rather indicate that you need a bit of refresher training.