Or am I incredibly unlucky? Thinking of giving up driving

[Tusktusk]

I’ve had 4 speeding tickets in 3 months. None of them were badly over the limit. 35 in a 30 x3 and 58 on a smart motorway which had been limited to 50. I was unaware of any of these until I got the letters. First one I did a speed awareness course for. Other 3 I’ve had to take the points. So 9 points on my license now. One more offence and I’m banned.

Thing is, I’ve been driving for nearly 35 years and never had a single one before. What’s going on? Should I consider giving up driving?

Fair enough on all the comments, even the ones saying I’m a bad driver. You are probably right and I will be taking steps to improve. It’s strange to think of myself as someone who drives too fast because in my experience people often overtake me. Everyone else seems to be in such a hurry all the time and make me feel like I’m too slow. Yet I’m the one with the speeding offences.

Like my perception of myself as a driver is all wrong.

I am genuinely intrigued. After your first offence didn't you become hyper aware of your speed and research all the tools like speed limiters etc?

What’s going on? Should I consider giving up driving?

Well, you know what’s going on. You’re not concentrating enough on your speed and the speed limits of the roads you’re driving on and the signs on the motorways.

Are you currently stressed about something? Do you think there’s anything that’s contributing to your lack of concentration? Do you get flustered or angry when you drive?

I don’t think you should consider giving up driving. You may get banned though if you get some more points.

Im in the same position and scared,i have a disabled son too that needs driving around,im so angry at myself

Hate to break it to you, it has absolutely nothing to do with luck. There are three absolutely fundamental things you need in order to be able to drive safely on the roads: awareness, ability and care for others.

If you are being caught speeding then you have either not noticed the (rather larger and very regular) speed signs at the side of/above/ written on to the roads; or, you have noticed these but lack the ability to maintain these speeds; or, you have seen them and you don’t give a damn.

Either way, it’s not luck. And yes, if giving up would mean that there is one car fewer speeding down 30 and 20 mile an hour roads, then please do.

I suspect then that you are what I call a ‘one speed driver’ (I mean, that’s a polite way of saying it). Living in a country town I speed an awful lot of time behind people who have one speed (generally about 40mph). Mind numbingly and rather dangerously slow on A roads and dual carriageways, causing long tail backs behind them and meaning people over take (and often not safely) and far, far, to fast in built up areas.

I agree with the PP. You sound like you cannot adapt your speed to the road conditions or limit. I find this so irritating.

There's a widget on your dashboard called a "speedometer". It tells you how fast your car is going.

If you're not aware of that then yes, you should give up driving.

I got two in quick succession on the same camera. 36 in a 30 both of them. I didn’t think I was unlucky though…I was mortified and now I drive at 28, always when I’m in a 30.

If you’ve been caught doing 35 in a 30, your speedometer probably showed close to 40, which I’d say you should have noticed. What about booking a couple of advanced driving lessons just to brush up?

It’s not really bad luck is it…

I won’t give you the obvious answer of ‘just drive slower then!’, because I suspect (I’m making a kind assumption here), that your problem might partially sit with nerves.

Beyond just going slower, there are three things to consider. First, is a newer car. Modern cars are now fitted with speed limiters. These are far better to use on slower roads than cruise control as they give you more control and, unlike cruise control which allows you to go above the speed you’ve set, stops you from going above the speed you’ve set it to. They’re not an automatic thing, and don’t come on and adjust to the speed limits of the roads, you have to turn them on and adjust them to the speed you’ve set want to do. So you obviously still need to be aware of what the limit is on the road.
Second, is a sat nav. These are rather brilliant at telling you what speed limit the road is. They’re not full proof and, really, nothing beats awareness of speed limits, but they are certainly a great back up and reminder.
Third is being aware of one of the factors that often pushes people, especially more nervous drivers, to go above the limit: tailgaters. There are always going to be those out there who want to go faster than the limit and want to force others to drive at their speeds. In built up areas the only solution is to stick to your guns, and, if they insist on driving aggressively up your rear, occasionally (gently!) putting on the breaks when they’re dangerously close. (That is something that is told at speeding awareness courses apparently). When on dual carriageways/ motorways, it’s vital that you drive (everyone should) on the inside lane and only use one of the outside lanes for overtaking. It’s the law as much as anything, and it’s incredibly dangerous to sit in the outside lane.
Hope some of that helps.