Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Speeding camera

69 replies

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 08/12/2017 14:26

I was caught speeding 82 on dual carriageway... (I was actually on way to funeral... Truth!)

I've had one of those notice of intended prosecution.

Aibu hoping that I can opt for speed awareness... Rather than points?

Does anyone know process....? Can't get through to police and can't find online?

OP posts:
meredintofpandiculation · 08/12/2017 14:46

I think the sequence goes:
Letter 1 - Intention to prosecute. They know it was your car, but require you to confirm you were driving, or tell them who was
Letter 2 - to you if you were driving, otherwise to the driver - gives the 3 options of course, points and fixed penalty, court with points and unspecified fine.

MissEliza · 08/12/2017 14:49

Sanctimonious responses? Wasonthelist I accept your point that 69mph isn't safer than 71mph but it's a hell of a lot safer than 82mph.
I actually think everyone should do speed awareness courses for the first offence. I had to take one about five years ago (34mph in a 30mph zone). I really learned a lot and it changed how I thought about driving and other drivers on the road. I was probably lucky though. The instructor was an ex-police driver and she really knew her stuff and wanted to educate people.

lovelyupnorth · 08/12/2017 14:49

it got a course for 76 in a 60 so think you'll be okay for a course assuming you've not done one in the previous 3 years

lovelyupnorth · 08/12/2017 14:52

should add our Motorway speed limits are too low

nj32 · 08/12/2017 14:53

Ive had a letter last week. Fill it in first saying you were driving etc. Then today I've had a letter to say I have a choice there course or points.

JonSnowsWife · 08/12/2017 14:57

I believe you're not offered the option of points or course until you've filled that form in.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 08/12/2017 15:00

You won't get an invitation on the NIP, that's just to confirm your details and that it was you driving.

You'll then get a letter advising whether a course is available to you or whether you need to make payment/have your licence endorsed.

I don't think 81 is terrible for a dual carriageway but it obviously is quite a bit over the limit and you might be outside the threshold for a course.

Wait and see, just respond to the NIP and take it from there.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 08/12/2017 15:03

MissEliza, if you were speeding in a 30mph zone then you need to give your head a wobble rather than chastise anybody else. There ARE pedestrians in those zones. They are not present on dual carriageways.

Andrewofgg · 08/12/2017 15:03

You will probably be offered the course: but be aware that you have to tell your insurers - and they have access to the database of the people who have done the course so don't be tempted not to - who may hit you in the pocket at renewal time.

LazyDailyMailJournos · 08/12/2017 15:10

As others have said, you need to fill in the form and then they will write to you and tell you if they are willing to offer you the course.

I did one in the summer - first offence. The course is actually really good and very interesting. The trainers were both really nice, very funny and they brought it to life really well. Lots of us said that it would be useful for all drivers to do it. I learned a lot - as well as the obvious reminder to pay better attention to my speedo!

pisacake · 08/12/2017 15:14

the guidelines are for a 70mph limit:

78mph or less - nothing
79 - 87 - speed awareness course (or fixed penalty if you've had a SAC before)
88 - 95 - fixed penalty
96+ - court, ban and/or 6 points

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/12/2017 15:20

Andrewofgg not all insurers are interested. When I thought I’d been clocked speeding (I wasn’t) I hypothetically asked Direct Line if I needed to notify them and they said no. I know any insurer that’s part of the awful Admiral group do have to be notified.

emmcan · 08/12/2017 15:20

It is between 10% +2 and 10% +9 to be eligible.
So in a 70mph, anything up to 86mph would technically make you qualify for a course. In a 60mph limit, up to 75.
Some police forces vary on this though, depending on time of year etc.
82 on a dual would qualify you for a course, but is is at the discretion of the force in question.

BarbaraofSevillle · 08/12/2017 15:22

It's ridiculous that only 'minor' speeders get the chance of a speed awareness course when those going well over the limit would probably benefit from some re-education and a stern talking to from a police officer.

Plus anyone reasonably well off would probably consider a fixed penalty fine as pocket change and could easily spend more on a night out.

Having to spend a few hours being reminded about why speeding can be dangerous is going to impact their lives a bit more.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/12/2017 15:25

I agree Barbara. To be honest I would probably pay the fine and have the points rather than pay for the course and use my annual leave.

meredintofpandiculation · 08/12/2017 15:25

MissEliza, if you were speeding in a 30mph zone then you need to give your head a wobble rather than chastise anybody else. There ARE pedestrians in those zones. They are not present on dual carriageways. I think you need to know the context. Speeding in a 30mph limit in a town, definitely wrong. But in the rural area I drive the "main" roads are a challenge, a complete jigsaw of speed limits. The road will skirt one village, have a couple of houses on it, and the limit will remain at 50 or 60, then the next village, looking completely like the previous one, will for some reason have a 30mph stretch for a few hundred yards. I can forgive someone for missing the sign in those circumstances. (And pedestrians can be present on dual carriageways).

Roussette · 08/12/2017 15:29

You will probably be offered the course: but be aware that you have to tell your insurers - and they have access to the database of the people who have done the course so don't be tempted not to - who may hit you in the pocket at renewal time

That's incorrect. I was told on the speed awareness course I was on within the last year that you do not have to tell your insurance company and that they (the speed awareness people) do not inform anyone.

DiegoMadonna · 08/12/2017 15:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Andrewofgg · 08/12/2017 16:14

My insurers asked but that was seven years ago; perhaps it has changed.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 08/12/2017 16:14

Andrewofgg, that is complete rubbish. Why are you scaremongering?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 08/12/2017 16:15

You said 'they have access'. They don't. That's been asked a every course I've attended.

Andrewofgg · 08/12/2017 16:18

If it has changed, well and good!

But forgive me LyinWitch if I ask how many you have attended!

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 08/12/2017 16:33

Um... 2 Blush

That's good news though, I nearly had heart failure.

MiniCooperLover · 08/12/2017 17:19

Insurance companies do ask now about points or speed awareness courses so if they ask you have to declare it. I only know this because I rang to redo our insurance the other day and it was a definite question.

MiniCooperLover · 08/12/2017 17:20

LyingWitchintheWardrobe, that’s quite unusual to be offered 2 isn’t it? I thought it was one and points after that? Interesting that’s not always the case.

Swipe left for the next trending thread