Fine & Points or take the Speed Awareness Course ??

[MustangLady]

I was recently caught by a speed camera (6 mph over the speed limit) which I have admitted to and will duly take the punishment. However, I have been given the option of taking a Speed Awareness Course or paying the fine & accepting 3 points on my licence (been driving for nearly 30 yrs and never had any convictions before).

I'm not sure what to do; I live in Essex but was in Bucks when I committed the offence. Because the course has to be attended in the location it was committed (or indeed as near to the area involved). The nearest course locations available to me are at least 1 and half hours away from where I live and I would need to take a day off work to attend it.

The fine is £60+points / The course will cost approx £80-£90.

If I paid the fine & accepted the points on my licence. Do I need to notify my insurance company about the points on my licence? Would it affect my future insurance premiums in doing this? Do I need to inform my insurance company if I attend the speed awareness course?

What would you do ??.. attend the course or pay the fine & accept the points on licence (assuming like me you'd held a clean licence for nearly 30 yrs).

[dotty.]

I think I would go to the course and book a days holiday but probably you should mention it to your insurers, I have had a clean license for 36 years and i would hate to mess that up now!

[bednobs]

i would do the course

[wolf63]

Maybe the course will be beneficial to you and your driving. I once heard someone say that after being on a course he was never going to speed again.

[MustangLady]

I know, I'm gutted.. always been very careful with speed. It was a genuine mistake too. Was in unfamiliar territory, just attended friends wedding and was on way home about 10pm... speed sign said 40, then there was a camera, then a speed sign after it saying 30. I thought the camera related to the 40mph and was slowing down to 30mph to comply with that one and the camera flashed !!! DAMN !!!

[boxtops]

Yes you do need to tell your insurance company, it could be a "material fact". I didn't realise you have to do the course near where you were clocked, that's crazy - some of us travel for work, we could be caught in Northumberland or somewhere hundreds of miles from home, why don't they let you do it nearer to home (or is that part of the penalty)?

[sara3]

points affect your insurance for the next FIVE years.. and that is painful!

[Prudie]

I recently attended the course. I would recommend it as I have kept a clean licence. It's only about 3 hours and just like a 'fun' training course. I haven't informed my insurance, we were not told we had to.

[beattie819]

My son got caught doing 35 in a 30 limit, in Wales. He wanted to do the course, but apparently its not offered in Wales, so he got the points.:( No option

[MustangLady]

Different police forces operate in different areas. The place I was in is operated by Thames Valley Police, the area I live is operated by Essex Police, then there is London Metropolitan Police for London area etc. They all have different operations for dealing with speeders, including costs of the courses available (range from £60 - £95 depending on area course is taken). Obviously the cost of a fine for the area it is committed goes to that police force (I assume), therefore they wouldn't want the money to go to a different force. I don't know this for sure, just presuming. I've checked where I can do the course under the 'Thames Valley' areas and it includes closest one to me which is Ealing (West London), which is 1&half travel. Better than going back to Bucks I s'pose... gonna booked that one.

Beattie819; there is a course available in Wales but only North Wales Gogledd Cymru. It's showing up on the courses available (just checked), but again it might not be applicable because of the area 'offence' was done.

Thanks to everyone for your advice/comments... appreciated.

[gingejbee]

Happened to me (in Bucks too) . I went on the course (£65 some years ago) but didn't have to travel far. Also learned quite a bit, too. Keep to speed limit now, also.