Speed awareness worth doing?

Speed awareness worth doing?

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Discussion

okgo

Original Poster:

37,860 posts

197 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Caught doing 70 on the M25 when apparently there was a 60 limit in place? Didn't even notice to be honest.

What are these awareness things like? Is it a day off work? If I don't do that is it just 3 pointer for that sort of speed do you think?

I cant really be doing with taking time off working fking about somewhere for a whole day if that is what it is, rather just take a small hit and get on with things.


jagracer

8,248 posts

235 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
If It's the Met it'll be 2 hours and they also run them in the evening, well worth it in my opinion for what you'll learn.

okgo

Original Poster:

37,860 posts

197 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
jagracer said:
If It's the Met it'll be 2 hours and they also run them in the evening, well worth it in my opinion for what you'll learn.
It was Kent Police if that makes any odds?


Stoofa

958 posts

167 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
You get 12 points on your license, so surely "saving 3" has always got to be the sensible option if you're in the situation where you've been offered that?
I've never been caught speeding, but if/when I do eventually, I'd always take a short course to save 3 points.

okgo

Original Poster:

37,860 posts

197 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
I don't drive much so it doesn't matter to me whether I have 3 points or not really.


jagracer

8,248 posts

235 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
okgo said:
I don't drive much so it doesn't matter to me whether I have 3 points or not really.
You didn't notice the limit so you probably need the course more than the points, I think Kent use the same course as the met.

smashie

685 posts

150 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
I did my speed awareness course in Kent and it cost less than the fine would have done. Most of it I knew already, but there were a couple of bits I did not know so from that point of view it was a very tiny bit useful. I had holiday left to take, so I took a day off work and therefore it didn't cost me anything from a work perspective. Didn't cost much in fuel to get there and back as it was local to me and they provided lunch. The main advantage for me is no points on my licence. Granted it would not make much of a difference if any to my insurance, however it would annoy the hell out me when getting quotes on sites as I would have to check each time when I got the points (brain like a sieve).

So is it worth it?
Can you take time off work without losing out?
Do you mind answering yes to the question about any motoring convictions and having to remember or lookup the date when looking for insurance?
Will your insurance costs increase and do you care if it does?
Is the course more or less expensive than the fine? You can usually do the course anywhere in the country, but costs vary. Kent was cheaper than the fine.

Magic919

14,126 posts

200 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Have a look here regarding sentencing. http://www.counsel.direct/news/2015/3/25/speeding-...

bitchstewie

50,807 posts

209 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Not aimed specifically at the OP but I've read a few threads like this recently and thought to myself "Why the hell would you take the points rather than go on the course?" and I'm still not really sure what sensible answer there can be to that.

tr7v8

7,186 posts

227 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
I did a Kent one a while ago. 4 1/2 of complete drivel. I think they both came from KCC. This is the second speed awareness course I've done, the first was OK, no preaching, learnt a bit, scary what others didn't know.
The second one driveled on about economy driving, wholesale 20MPH limits etc. And obviously you cannot voice any opinion otherwise you're out on your ear with £100 & 3 points.

By paying for the course you save 3 points. Dependant on insurance co. some won't penalise you for a speed awareness course others (Admiral are one) others do.

Rovinghawk

13,300 posts

157 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
tr7v8 said:
This is the second speed awareness course I've done, the first was OK, no preaching, learnt a bit, scary what others didn't know.
Err..................???

tr7v8

7,186 posts

227 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Rovinghawk said:
tr7v8 said:
This is the second speed awareness course I've done, the first was OK, no preaching, learnt a bit, scary what others didn't know.
Err..................???
Dunno what the ?? is for. The first I was bang to rights in a 40 limit at 47. I learnt a lot about signage, other peoples lack of knowledge of speed limits & also that TV police enforce 30MPH limits at 32MPH! The second was 5 years later in a defunct contraflow at Avonmouth for 57 in a 50. Avoiding some old boy who was wandering all over the place. In contraflows I set the cruise for 55 on the GPS & stay there. Obviously in getting away I notched it up a bit too high!

tony wright

1,004 posts

249 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Mine was a 4 hour afternoon and the only good thing to come out of it was no points and possibly insurance remaining a bit cheaper. I've never been shy when it comes to saying something if I disagree with it, so did my self no favours with the lecturers, but still managed to complete the course. They still preach stuff from the Highway Code on stopping distances.

ging84

8,832 posts

145 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
tr7v8 said:
Dunno what the ?? is for. The first I was bang to rights in a 40 limit at 47. I learnt a lot about signage, other peoples lack of knowledge of speed limits & also that TV police enforce 30MPH limits at 32MPH! The second was 5 years later in a defunct contraflow at Avonmouth for 57 in a 50. Avoiding some old boy who was wandering all over the place. In contraflows I set the cruise for 55 on the GPS & stay there. Obviously in getting away I notched it up a bit too high!
All you learned there is that people lie to strangers just as easily in person as they do online

Sheepshanks

32,535 posts

118 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Some insurance companies want to know now if you've done an SAC and the people who run them have all dropped the "you don't have to tell your insurance company" line from their websites.

Unless you're a muppet the only thing you'll learn, as a couple of people have already noted, is how terrifyingly clueless other road users are.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

185 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Get a pair of these:


Rovinghawk

13,300 posts

157 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
tr7v8 said:
Dunno what the ?? is for.
tr7v8 said:
I learnt a lot about....... other peoples lack of knowledge of speed limits
If I have to explain, you won't understand.

okgo

Original Poster:

37,860 posts

197 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
jagracer said:
You didn't notice the limit so you probably need the course more than the points, I think Kent use the same course as the met.
Not many motorway drivers notice limits or abide by them. They're largely pointless. The m25 is self governing anyway.

So 3 points and half my weekly income according to that link..seems quite punchy? If that is true then far cheaper to head to the course.

Ki3r

7,806 posts

158 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
I recently sat in on one of the driver awareness courses due to my role within the Police.

I can honestly say I enjoyed it. Despite having a good knowledge of the Highway Code it wasn't boring or condensiding at all.

What was quite interesting is seeing people's views change from the start to the end.

If I got caught speeding and had the chance to do one, I would.

davepoth

29,395 posts

198 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
quotequote all
Ki3r said:
I recently sat in on one of the driver awareness courses due to my role within the Police.

I can honestly say I enjoyed it. Despite having a good knowledge of the Highway Code it wasn't boring or condensiding at all.

What was quite interesting is seeing people's views change from the start to the end.

If I got caught speeding and had the chance to do one, I would.
I've done one too, and like you (although I did know quite a lot of it already) I found it quite interesting, especially some of the stuff that other people said.