12 points on license

[itsureis]

Over the last 18m, I have been caught speeding 3 times and now I have been caught again. Always on cameras and always just over the speed limit.

I'm a single mum and need my car for dropping the kids with their farther and for other things. I'm currently not working, due to COVID lockdowns but would need a car for work.

I'm not excusing it but I'm now so incredibly worried about losing my licence and the expense of it all.

Had anyone else been in this situation and what was the outcome ?

Buy yourself an electric cargo bike? you could carry the kids in it depending on their age.

Tough luck, speedy. You’ve obviously chosen not to learn from previous points, fines or speed awareness courses. You’ve done this to yourself. What did you expect?

Look on the bright side - if you get a six month ban you can SORN your car (as long as you don't park it on a public road) and save some money!

Not quite WIN - WIN, I know more LOSE - WIN A LITTLE BIT

New sentencing guidelines came into force at the start of last month which means claiming any exceptional hardship to try and avoid a ban has become much more difficult.

I have no come back on any of your points, which also makes me realise that there's absolutely no case for trying to avoid a ban.

I should have thought of the consequences, to myself and my family, and acted more responsible.

Hire a solicitor who specialises in motor convictions.

A good one is worth their weight in gold!

Well done OP for acknowledging your fault and taking the pith comments here on the chin.

You really must stop this. How would you feel if a speeding driver mowed down one of your children?

pithy

The standard ban is 6 months. A solicitor may help you get that reduced but without real mitigating factors it is unlikely. Inconvenience and extra costs are not mitigating factors.

not everywhere offers the courses in scotland we dont have the option, its straight points

Yes I'm in Scotland, but I thought OP might be elsewhere... I'm not sure they even do it elsewhere now.. it was just a thought..

I've never been done for speeding. On 22nd June 2000 I witnessed an accident where a nine year old girl went through the windscreen. She died. Her mammy was speeding.

Strapping your beloved children into a car and then putting their lives at risk because you didn't leave in time is despicable. They trust that you are looking after them.

At least you're realising now! Not everyone can admit they're wrong.
I think you probably do need a break from driving to be honest that really is a lot and you clearly have trouble sticking to the speed limit.

You seem self aware so I'm sure you'll learn from it and be better in future

When I was young and stupid, with no responsibilities I got up to 11 points and avoided a ban by the skin of my teeth.

I spent the next 5 years driving like your average granny. Because, you know, I'm not an idiot.

Frankly you deserve everything you get.

@Meowza74

Being caught speeding 4 times in 18m is insane. You'll probably lose your license for at least a couple of years.

Why offer such uninformed opinions?

www.gov.uk/driving-disqualifications

There is a chance you will keep your licence if you plead hardship. It’s pretty unlikely though as you’ve committed so many offences

You know how to avoid this ??
Stop breaking the speed limit 😡

I've been driving 17 years and not had a single point on my license - now this doesn't mean I've never crept over the limit, I've just never been caught

To have been caught 4 times in such a short time you must be speeding continually

My partner is in the same position except he has accrued the points over a period much longer than 18 months and most of them were on the brink of expiring. Please don't flame him everyone I am not defending his actions at all and I am as horrified by speeding as you all. I drive like a snail myself!

We have hired a motoring specialist solicitor. I think it will cost about a grand. However proving exceptional hardship is not easy from what we have learned. Saying you would lose your job is not enough. We would have to prove that it is affecting other people's livelihoods too, like if he had employees who would lose their jobs too if he lost his. So I am really worried. We haven't had a court date, he drives for work, has been out of work for a large part of this year due to covid, and we have a baby on the way.

Good luck OP I know how you feel.

It's crap, and so easy to lose concentration. I set my hands free phone to monitor the speed limit and it flashes red when I'm approaching it.

As PP said, a ban will be when you are mostly now when many can wfh, so hopefully won't affect you as much as in normal times.

Plead guilty and get a ban, hopefully for the 6 months and offer to do any road safety awareness they feel in necessary.

Honestly, you shouldn't be driving if you find it difficult to concentrate. You should find another way of getting from A to B.

Surely for the safety of your children you should be willingly giving up your license..
It appears that’s the only way to keep them safe as you can’t be trusted with them in the same car.

I’ve been done quite a few times over the years in multiple countries, never close to totting up however. I’d suggest speaking to AGT www.counsel.direct/ he’s a shit hot motoring solicitor.

@chipsandpeas while we don't have courses, there are some circumstances where you can do the course in England, a friend went to Newcastle to do one.

@itsureis I hope this gives you a kick up the arse. Speeding is never acceptable. There are speed limits for a very good reason.

Why do you speed?
Are you not attentive to the road?
Do you hit a 30 at 40 and then slow down rather than slowing earlier so that you are at 30 when you get level with the 30 sign?
Do you not pay proper attention to the display ?

Habitual speeding isnt an accident, it's a mentality. When you get your licence back you need to have identified what is wrong with you and how to fix it.

If you need your car so badly why risk it by speeding?

OK, it is mad careless to be caught by cameras 4 times. Cameras are bright yellow!!

OK, speeding isn’t good, but there is a deal of hypocrisy on this thread.: Drive on the motorway at 70mph and almost everyone except the lorries and caravans will overtake.

Some of these people overtaking may even be MNers,