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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not go on a speed awareness course

303 replies

sPJPPp · 08/04/2015 09:51

The course will be 97 and the fine is 100.

I would get three points and my insurance will go up by about 40 next year.

The course is 2 hours drive away and will take 4 hours. So the best part of a day taken away.

Aibu to just take the points as 40 to loose a day off is just not enough.

OP posts:
0x530x610x750x630x79 · 08/04/2015 09:53

if you are in the uk 3 points isn't just £40 on your insurance, and it isn't just for one year it is for years and years.
and maybe you will learn something useful.

thornrose · 08/04/2015 09:54

I did one recently. I deeply resented it to start with but it was really informative.

I'd take the course, I'd do anything to avoid points on my licence personally.

Original poster
sPJPPp · 08/04/2015 09:56

Actually that was my thought, it is 40 for this renewal, but surely this should go down each year until it disappears?

I'm happy to learn something useful, but not paying 100 for the privilege and loosing a free day tbh

OP posts:
Silvercatowner · 08/04/2015 09:56

Do the course. I also did one recently and it was a real eye opener. I have changed my driving habits as a result.

AnxiousWreck · 08/04/2015 09:59

The points would stay for four years - technically they are valid for three, but while you have them, they will affect your premiums.

If you get more than 12 points in total at any point within three years, you'll lose your license. If you've passed your test within the last two years, you'll lose your license after only 6 points - so you'd only need to be caught speeding once more.

You are not losing a day. You are opting to spend a day being re-educated, rather than facing the consequences of breaking the law.

Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 10:02

I don't think you should think of the course in terms of 'losing days' and how much it costs. Confused

How far over the limit were you?

DarylDixonsDarlin · 08/04/2015 10:02

I'm very surprised you don't have a closer course than that, tbh. I live in the arse end of Cornwall and even I had a choice of 5 locations, only the final two on the list were more than an hour and a half away.

Childcare was the trickiest problem I faced, luckily my course fell on my mums day off. Not my proudest moment having to ask her for that favour.

The course is worth doing in my opinion.

DarylDixonsDarlin · 08/04/2015 10:05

I don't think a money-based penalty (fine, paying extra on insurance because of points) is particularly effective at deterring repeat offending either.

derxa · 08/04/2015 10:06

I've been on 2 (hangs head in shame) but both were good days and I make sure I stay within speed limit now.

MamainMilan · 08/04/2015 10:09

I don't think you should think of the course in terms of 'losing days' and how much it costs

This ^.

My husband recently had to 'give up' a day to go on a speed awareness course. He found it very eye-opening. You are not paying '£100 for the privilege'; you are there because you need educating about speeding and safety.

I think you possibly need to adjust your attitude to why you are faced with this 'dilemma.'

Feminine · 08/04/2015 10:10

Obviously you still have aspects of driving that you need to grasp.
Unless it was only a couple of miles over, you are being unreasonable to think otherwise.

Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 10:11

Yes I agree Mama.

I know a few people who have been on the courses and all said although they obviously didn't want to go found them informative and educational which is the idea.

850Pro · 08/04/2015 10:11

I did one last year, was a complete waste of my time.

Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 10:12
Hmm
DarylDixonsDarlin · 08/04/2015 10:12

And you're not even talking about losing a day of work are you, but an actual day off? In that case YABU. I can understand someone not wanting to lose a days pay for it (just about).

natwebb79 · 08/04/2015 10:13

derxa - I thought you could only go on one course before being given points?

Cockbollocks · 08/04/2015 10:14

I did am awareness course and actually think they are really good.

MyballsareSandy · 08/04/2015 10:15

I went on wine last summer. Very informative and made me think. Drove home shit scared doing about 15 miles per hour!

SummerHouse · 08/04/2015 10:16

I went in a very positive mood having heard the courses were really good. I generally believe we should stay within the limit or well below should circumstances dictate. I felt it was a wake up call that I had been speeding and I wanted to do the course regardless of cost and points. My particular course was really bad. Very poorly presented, mind numbingly boring and gave two chaps the opportunity to patronise a room full of people. They also kept emphasising a message that we were there through our lack of observation rather than our speed. I.e. there is always signage to indicate cameras and the cameras are high vis. The implication being that it is ok to speed so long as you are more observant. All that said I would go if I were you. Not sure what the point if this post is really. It just prompted a rant.

MyballsareSandy · 08/04/2015 10:16

Wine!! meant one ??

formerbabe · 08/04/2015 10:16

How extremely arrogant is all I can say.

DarylDixonsDarlin · 08/04/2015 10:17

Nat its one every set number of years (3? 5? Cant remember sorry). Once the time period is up if you get caught speeding again you can choose the same option.

There were repeat offenders on my course, id say probably 25% of them were repeaters. And they were all men Hmm

mummytime · 08/04/2015 10:17

You can go on one course every 3 or so years.

I took the course, we had an evening one about an hour away. Not the most exciting use of an evening off, but useful.

I think people who do the course are statistically less likely to speed again in the next few years - so if you take the points you may well find you end up with 6 or more.

Fourarmsv2 · 08/04/2015 10:17

I know someone that's done two as well.

Bakeoffcake · 08/04/2015 10:17

Can I ask what do they do on these courses? (Do they show lots of pictures of car accidents to try to put you off Sad)

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