Think I may have been caught speeding by a police van?

[LadySparksWitch]

I know, it’s my own fault. I was going about 36 or 37 in a 30 zone, I was keeping up with traffic, when I saw the van (a few seconds before) I realised and put the brakes on, got down to 30 or just under as I passed the van.

Am I still likely going to get a letter?
I have done one speed awareness course in 2021. Nothing since. Is it likely I’ll get another one?

Yes, they can catch you from 3 miles away

Oh then I’ll probably get a letter. I totally hold my hands up to it, I was keeping up with traffic but probably should have paid more attention to the speedometer. Got too complacent.

Is it likely I’ll be offered another speed awareness course as the last one I did was 5 years ago now.

Yes. I believe tou can do another course if X years have elapsed but I cant recall how many years it is. Slow down perhaps....keeping up with traffic is irrelevant.

Hard to say, you could be lucky or unlucky but if you were slowing from 36 or 37 you can do another course as your last one will be spent by now.

3 years is the cut off

Be contrite, accept the points which you could get.

Did you approach it from the front or rear? I believe the front camera is just CCTV to catch the plates of speeding motorbikes rather than the actual speed camera.

If you approached from the front you are probably ok if you had slowed by the time you passed it.

The vans now have fisheye and 360 technology

You'll probably remember from your last speed awareness course that "keeping up with traffic" is irrelevant.

Eta X-posted - sorry, @RhaenysRocks

@Ncforthis2267
I think I approached it from the back , I’m not sure but I can’t see how else it would be positioned as I was coming towards it. I did slow down but maybe not in time. I’ll have to wait and see if I receive anything in the post.

Of course I’ll take the fine if needs be, but I was wondering if I’d be eligible for another awareness course.

@LaMarschallin
I know, I’m stupid. It’s 100% on me, no excuses.

You'll get points, a small fine and another speed awareness course.

Easy done!

Points and a speed awareness? I thought it was one of the other?

If it's any consolation I ended up on a SA course after being picked up doing 34mph then a week later doing 33mph in the same area!
I thought it was a 40 zone and that I was being cautious.
The first question they asked was about a picture of a street with street lamps: "What's the speed limit here?".
Hermione-like, I waggled my hand in the air and said "30mph!".
Then thought: so why didn't I know that when I was driving on a street with lightning?
Just proves the courses can be of use - I haven't made that mistake since.

Request the option of the Speed Awareness course, top up and refresh your knowledge about why speeding happens and ways you can ensure you keep your speed down.

I've had to do two in the years I've been driving and a lot of the wisdom from the course has stuck with me, including not keeping up with the traffic and being willing to be tailgated by an impatient driver rather than being forced into increasing my speed. at times, I've even found a safe place and pulled over to let someone pass if they're that much in a hurry to get past. I don't care, as long as they're in front of me and not taking their impatience out on me.

You don't get points, that's the whole point, the payment you make is the same as the speeding fine, but it goes towards financing the course,

and you don't have to say anything to your insurance company if you do the course, but you certainly do if you get the fine and points,

It is, I also got caught doing 36mph in a 30mph area and had the choice. Bonus now is that you can do the course online!

Ah you're right, I thought I had points + did a speed awareness course, that's good news!

I've been under the impression I had points that I don't have... yay!

If your speedometer said 36-37 your actual speed is likely 33-34, if so it's unlikely you'll get a ticket. ACPO guidance is to allow 10% +2 mph leeway, so 35 in a 30 zone. Either way you can do another speed awareness course if it's over 3 years since the last one.

Don't stress over it, anyone can have a lapse of concentration but you'll be fine

Not true

i got points at 24 mph

£100 fine and speed awareness course if it’s more than 3 years since your last offence. I hardly do any miles and annoyingly I got snapped on my way to a job interview last week. The letters come through super fast, you will know within a few days

Also agree that @FairCatis incorrect, I got 34 in a 30 and got snapped. I am sure I have heard that now Speedo is all digital and therefore much more accurate there is no leeway of 10%

Be contrite- to a letter?! 😂

Not all forces use the NPCC guidance, it’s fairly easy to find out online which ones do. Worst case for the OP is likely to be a course anyway so not the end of the world.