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AIBU?

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Original poster

Caught speeding & drop off

140 replies

Sadandstupid · 10/11/2020 06:54

I know I’m unreasonable.

I work for myself but due to timing of when I started working for myself, I’m not eligible for any gov help. So, I’ve had to pick up some contracts at lower pay.

Last week, when collecting DC from school the full parking was full. I had to go round and round, was late for pick up, and spent 40 mins on what should have been a 10 mins trip.

The following day, I was an idiot. There is no excuse. But I sped on my way to pick up. Probably did 40 in a 30 zone. No excuse and I feel awful thinking about it.

I saw the police in hi via jacket pointing a handheld speed gun at me. I don’t think they had someone else at the end to stop people. It was literally the one person.

Could I have been caught? If I lose my license, it will be even harder with work and pickups. I can’t believe I’ve been such an idiot.

OP posts:
Pradababe · 10/11/2020 08:24

Up to 42mph in 30mph -you will get a speed awareness course - (by Zoom at the moment). You will pay a fine too. Otherwise you accept the 3 penalty points on your licence, and don't opt to pay.

TheOrigRights · 10/11/2020 08:24

You won't lose your license, but I hope you are caught and have to go on a speed awareness course as you seem to be more concerned about the consequences to you rather than the consequences your speeding could have had to other people.

Ifailed · 10/11/2020 08:25

You will pay a fine too
You don't pay a fine if you take the course as there is no conviction. You have to pay for the course though.

MatildaTheCat · 10/11/2020 08:27

Watch out for a sharp rise in your insurance.

satnighttakeaway · 10/11/2020 08:27

@Pradababe

Up to 42mph in 30mph -you will get a speed awareness course - (by Zoom at the moment). You will pay a fine too. Otherwise you accept the 3 penalty points on your licence, and don't opt to pay.
Admittedly it was a while ago but when I did a speed awareness course I only had to pay for the course.

Does the fine come in at higher speeds (mine was 35), I thought it was set up so you paid one or the other and they were the same. Is that not the case any more?

satnighttakeaway · 10/11/2020 08:28

@MatildaTheCat

Watch out for a sharp rise in your insurance.
Things obviously have changed since I did a course, my insurer has no idea I did one and it didn't make a penny's difference to my premium

Are insurers allowed to ask now?

christinarossetti19 · 10/11/2020 08:31

If the camera caught you and it sounds like it did, you or the registered driver of the car will receive a letter through the post in a week or so to confirm who was driving etc.

If you were going 42mph or under, you'll likely be invited on to a speed awareness course as an alternative to an fine and points on your licence. As others say, these are taking place online at the moment.

I was very shocked to receive a letter telling me that I'd been caught doing 25mph in a 20mph zone. It was true though, I'd turned off a 30mph road and slowed down when I saw the 20mph sign, but not quite quickly enough.

I'm happy to do the course (which costs £91 or £96 if you want the flexibility of moving dates once booked in my area). I would never knowingly speed and was mortified to find that I had.

JamminDoughnuts · 10/11/2020 08:31

give yourself more time in future op
what is the worse that could happen if you are late for pick up?
it is not worth driving too fast, particularly at that time of day with children leaving school, its dangerous

christinarossetti19 · 10/11/2020 08:33

And yes agree with leave yourself more time to collect. If this isn't possible, let your child know that you might be a minute or two late. Not ideal at the moment, but way better than deliberately speeding.

Blimeyoreilly2020 · 10/11/2020 08:35

Insurers have been asking this question for ages - many require you to declare the speed awareness course. To OP - the letter/notice will need to arrive within 2 weeks so you’ll need to wait it out. We all make mistakes and misjudge things - some people on here but live without ever making any though by the time of some comments!

NeonGenesis · 10/11/2020 08:36

You won't lose your licence for being caught doing 40 in a 30.

Sounds like you need to make some changes. You're spinning a lot of places... the more you spin, the more chance there is that you start dropping them

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 10/11/2020 08:38

The threshold is the speed limit + 10% + 9mph, so 42mph would be the cut off for a 30 zone

Threshold for what?

The long discussed margin for being over the limit is a myth and not observed by many police forces.

Fingers crossed for you OP that this has given you the heads up without adding things to make your life even more stressful. Being in the line of fire of a speed gun doesn’t always result in it being followed up. Ask me how I know Blush

J1112 · 10/11/2020 08:38

You are not going to lose your license. If you were really doing 40 in a 30 the most you’ll get is a few points and a fine. Maybe a speeding awareness course (if they are happening due to covid)

I got caught on speed camera doing 38 in a 30. I did the course. This was a few years ago now but the course was really informative!

But like I said the courses may not happen due to covid.

I knew someone who got caught doing 120mph on dual carriageway. They got a fine and a months ban (I think they paid a hefty fine for a minimal ban).

You’ll be fine!

Bookworming · 10/11/2020 08:41

Well it's certainly done it's job of stopping you speeding again!

You'll be fine, speed awareness course and you'll realise then why you shouldn't speed.

No points on your license abs as far as I'm aware you don't need to tell your insurer.

You do have to pay for the course though, don't be late, someone on my course was refused entry as they were late.

SoupDragon · 10/11/2020 08:46

The threshold is the speed limit + 10% + 9mph, so 42mph would be the cut off for a 30 zone

Threshold for what?

Being offered the choice of the awareness course.

BrummyMum1 · 10/11/2020 08:46

I’m really glad you feel bad about this. Being a working parent is really fucking hard, there are shit loads of us who feel like life consists of rushing from a to b fitting everything in and juggling everything at once. Most of us get by without putting others in danger though.

ivykaty44 · 10/11/2020 08:48

try not using your car for a week and then understand the consequences of your law breaking - as if you lose your licence it 'l be for more than a week

ancientgran · 10/11/2020 08:49

They had 14 days to send you a Notice of Intended Prosecution so if you don't hear by next week you have got away with it.

Pradababe · 10/11/2020 08:50

If you get the notification from police, be very careful filling in the paperwork that you will receive. If you mistakenly return it with the section where you pay a fine and take the points then you can't later correct it to go for the speed awareness course - hope that makes sense.

After the course your data will be removed from the police database so no one will have to know you have been speeding. If you get caught again within 6? months- then no further options, you will be fined etc.

Meepmeeep · 10/11/2020 08:51

If you are based in Scotland, the speed awareness course is not an option.

BuggerationFlavouredCrisps · 10/11/2020 08:52

@satnighttakeaway

When you receive your renewal letter, they ask you to declare any relevant changes since you took out insurance previously. It’s always your responsibility to tell them everything and they can choose whether to continue to offer you insurance and adjust your premiums accordingly.

Being caught speeding by the police is a material fact.
It’s irrelevant if you’re sent on a course instead of having penalty points as you only get sent on a course when you’ve been caught speeding!

You can guarantee that if you didn’t tell them and you needed to make a claim, they would check with DVLA and discover any speeding penalties and would refuse to cover your claim.

stovetopespresso · 10/11/2020 08:53

I was involved in an rta last year with a cyclist, turned out not to be my fault but boy did my World fall apart when I saw him lying motionless on the ground. we all do silly things sometimes, I have had points on my licence before so I say forgive yourself, woman up to the consequences and priorotise more appropriately in future Flowers

ConquestEmpireHungerPlague · 10/11/2020 08:58

You won't lose your license, but I hope you are caught and have to go on a speed awareness course as you seem to be more concerned about the consequences to you rather than the consequences your speeding could have had to other people.

In fairness, this is how most normal people would be thinking too.

Original poster
Sadandstupid · 10/11/2020 09:06

I have no excuse, I did something that I always judged others on. I really have no words as to what happened at that moment. I think any police sanction is better than me hitting someone. The fact is, I was so stressed out that day that I am not sure what my reaction time would have been. I could have killed someone.

I feel really shit. Even if I don't get caught, I will put £100 toward a charity donation. I realise I probably did get caught and I will accept the punishment.

I have submitted my notice for the additional work I was doing. Money is tight but I will make do.

Thank you so much for everyone who commented, I'm really grateful.

OP posts:
Whoooootaminute · 10/11/2020 09:11

There are some pompous posters on this thread.

So the OP drove too fast . Now she realises that it was wrong and won't do it again. Quit the preaching.

OP - you won't lose your license. Take the course if possible - not only will it save you having points on your license but I found it to be useful in my future driving style.