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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To really not want to go on a speed awareness course tomorrow?

58 replies

fairyfuckwings · 24/04/2015 22:34

I got a letter through saying I'd been caught doing 34 in a 30 area. It was one of the cameras on my regular route to work so whilst I was surprised as I'm normally a careful driver I thought "it's a fair cop" and opted to take the course rather than take the points.

However, it really bugged me as the date was 28th December and I didn't remember going into work over the Christmas period. Plus, as I go that way every day I know where all the cameras are - which doesn't really matter as generally it's unusual to get over 10 miles per hour due to traffic in that particular spit. So AFTER admitting it was me and booking the course I checked my diary - and lo and behold it was the day we went to the panto and my husband was driving!

So whilst my husband is sunning himself in bloody Portugal on a golf weekend I've got to go on a sodding speed awareness course for something I didn't even bloody do. I'm guessing it's too late in the day to change anything? Has anyone been on one of these courses? How bad are they?

OP posts:

mousmous · 24/04/2015 22:36

the courses are great, you will learn a lot.
book one for your 'd'h as birthday present

WyrdByrd · 24/04/2015 22:38

I've heard that the courses are quite interesting, but I don't know first hand. I must admit I took the points when I got caught as I really cba to do it.

ilovesooty · 24/04/2015 22:40

I found the course very informative.

SallyMcgally · 24/04/2015 22:41

I learnt a lot and it did improve my driving. The instructors were really lovely and started off by admitting that they'd both been done for speeding in their time.

Original poster

fairyfuckwings · 24/04/2015 22:44

But I'm not the one who needs to learn am I? I honestly don't speed. I'm the one on the slow lane behind all the lorries and caravanS.

OP posts:

Original poster

fairyfuckwings · 24/04/2015 22:46

I really wish I'd just taken the points.

Actually no - I really wished I'd checked my diary and made my husband do the sodding course.

OP posts:

ChippyMinton · 24/04/2015 22:46

In that case look upon it as an opportunity to improve your confidence?

CamelHump · 24/04/2015 22:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GoddessWhoWalksEarthAsWoman · 24/04/2015 22:46

I learnt lots too and quite enjoyed it.. But if you are taking the blame for your husband (now you've realised it was him speeding) you might want to get legal advice as this is how vicky pryce and Chris huhne's problems started..

ilovesooty · 24/04/2015 22:48

Treat it as a refresher course. Of course you wish you'd checked your diary but it honestly isn't as bad as all that.

Original poster

fairyfuckwings · 24/04/2015 22:49

Why? Do you think it would help with that? I've been driving 22 years and I'm still shit to be honest.

OP posts:

ilovesooty · 24/04/2015 22:49

Actually Goddess that crossed my mind. However they sent the summons to the OP presumably.

Unexpected · 24/04/2015 22:50

Why on earth did you not check the diary before returning the form? If you are caught speeding again - well, actually it would be for the first time for you - (within three years I think?) you will end up with points on your licence as you can't redo the course. It's also an offence to knowingly admit to driving when someone else was driving - remember Chris Huhne? Obviously, in your case, it is a genuine mistake but I'm sure everyone who gets caught says that. I would have called them up as soon as you realised it was not you driving on the day.

Original poster

fairyfuckwings · 24/04/2015 22:52

I am worried about the legal side godess . It wasn't intentional as it was my car on my regular route - but I feel it's a bit late now.

OP posts:

avocadotoast · 24/04/2015 22:53

If it's any consolation, my MIL said the tea and biscuits are pretty good...

Passmethecrisps · 24/04/2015 22:53

Really?! Is there no way of making this good? There is no way in hell my DH would get to go on a golf weekend while I took his punishment for speeding.

Unexpected · 24/04/2015 22:54

When did you actually realise it was not you driving? Weeks ago?

Model5 · 24/04/2015 22:58

The course is actually pretty good and worthwhile IMO but taking DHs punishment could get you both into all sorts of trouble.

ilovesooty, they send the initial letter to the registered owner, who then has to declare who was driving. Making a "mistake" can mean prison - see Chris Huhne....

crazycatlady82 · 24/04/2015 23:01

Go, make your husband feel guilty and ask for a pair of louboutins to compensate for your stress and misery...

Original poster

fairyfuckwings · 24/04/2015 23:03

Yes I got the summons.

The timing was shit though. It came through when my grandma was dying (I'm next of kin ) so I was constantly up at the hospital and then sorting out the care home transfer. Then she died and we had the funeral to sort out. Then sort her house out and all the financial etc.

Then, because if the above, I had a massive backlog at work to sort out.

The last 4 months have just been a very hard slog. I've missed lots of stuff to be honest as I just haven't had time to think. It's just been relentress.

I wouldn't normally have been so slack - but it really wasn't a priority. Unfortunately!

OP posts:

ilovesooty · 24/04/2015 23:05

That makes sense Model5

I think the OP is in a bit of a pickle now. They'll wonder why she paid for the course without checking she was driving. I hope for her sake they don't find out.

Original poster

fairyfuckwings · 24/04/2015 23:08

Yeah it "bugged me"for a few weeks but it was at the back of my mind as I've had so much more pressing stuff to sort out. It was only this week I actually checked my diary.

crazycatlady he definitely owes me something! I don't think I could walk in louboutins though so I'm thinking weekend in Barcelona.

OP posts:

lougle · 24/04/2015 23:09

You can't take the course for your DH. It's illegal. You need to talk to them in the morning and sort it out.

Original poster

fairyfuckwings · 24/04/2015 23:12

To be honest I doubt they'd find out. It's my regular route to work - even I thought (genuinely!) I'd done it. They'd have to check the camera film and I can't see why they'd do that. Or should I mention it at the course?

OP posts:

ilovesooty · 24/04/2015 23:15

I think I'd tell them when you get there. You might say they won't find out but you're committing an offence if you take it.

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