Speeding and awareness course

[Jessy pie]

My son passed his driving test in April this year. In July he recieved a speeding ticket (38mph in a 30 zone),and was given 3 points and a fine or the option to attend a speed awareness course. He has opted to take the speed awareness course,therefore he will not get any penalty pionts.
Last week he obtained another speeding ticket(37 in a 30 zone). I am of the understanding that this recent offence carries 3 points,and there is no option of a course again. My question is, withhim only having passed his test 4 months ago,the New drivers act will apply. Will he only have 3 points and therefore escape a ban/fine/retest?

[roxie_09]

He will only have 3 points on his license I think. But should seriously think about slowing down! I've known two boys that have died in car crashes because they thought it was clever to drive fast and undoubtedly stupidly. I'm not trying to scare you, but just don't wanna hear of another poor person having their life cut short over something that can be prevented x

[Ihaveanaccount]

Yes, he will escape the ban/fine/retest, as long as he has taken the driving awareness course. As he won't have the 6 points on his license needed to take it away.
Although as roxie said, he needs to have it drilled into him that he's gotta slow down. He's only had his license 4 months, that is not a long time to get 2 speeding tickets.
In my own opinion driving awareness courses shouldn't apply to people this new to driving, as they should already know the importance of speed. But hey! That is just my opinion.

[saxy_jag]

I did the speed awareness course last year. We were told that the course effectively wipes your slate clean, but if you get stopped again within a certain period of time then you don't get the option a second time. And a third time? Well ... bye-bye driving licence.

Also, depending on the severity of the offence, the court could decide on a harsher penalty than a fine, even if it's technically just a 'three-point' crime. A lad on the course I did had been done for driving without due care and attention, speeding and running a red light all at the same time. He got an 18-month ban as well as being ordered to attend the course. He was 19 and brave enough to admit all this to the group, as well as the fact that if it happened again then he was looking at prison. He *said* he'd learnt his lesson but I guess only time will tell.

As the other two have said, your son does need to slow down though. At best he'll look a pratt and lose his licence. At worst he'll kill himself or someone else. I read far too many stories of someone's mate or girlfriend being killed as passengers because their partner was speeding, and I can't imagine living your whole life knowing you were directly responsible for someone's death.

[Jessy pie]

thanks for that everyone. I agree with you all, he needs to slow down. Ive told him a few times before, but he has choosen not to listen to me. Maybe he will now?

[roxie_09]

Fingers crossed for you and him :-) hopefully he will learn before it's too late x

[JonnyBoy12]

Why are the Police stopping speeding motorists instead of catching some real criminals? Because there is no difference we am told.

I am with you on this one as well. It does seem a bit harsh but your son really must slow down. Just tell him the price of petrol and that should put the wind up him.

[roxie_09]

Thing is jonny speeding can cause accidents which can cause deaths etc, especially with young male drivers, why run the risk? And it may well have been a permanent speed camera that caught him x

[joggerjayne]

37 in a 30 zone is REALLY bad luck.

Most cameras / traps only trigger at speed limit + 10% + 4mph ...

... ie. at 37 mph.

[twix123]

Other than the fact that your son needs to slow down, and keep an eye on his speedometer, was he caught by fixed cameras, police speed traps or by being followed by the police?