Totting up ban looming...
Discussion
So Im on 12 points with another 6 pending.
Took on a lawyer who was confident of getting me off at 15 under exceptional hardship, but taking a very lovely sum of around 5/6k to do so.
Since then I got another 3 ...I know, I know, but its done now. Mostly for phone.
Rely on licence very much for business etc, but Im weighing up my options and thinking about taking the ban.
I can employ a driver for 6months for cheaper that the solicitors fee's, plus by employing someone its tax deductible.
Am I right in saying that the slate will be clean if I accept the ban ? I know the ban will hurt, but maybe its only way Im gonna learn.
Took on a lawyer who was confident of getting me off at 15 under exceptional hardship, but taking a very lovely sum of around 5/6k to do so.
Since then I got another 3 ...I know, I know, but its done now. Mostly for phone.
Rely on licence very much for business etc, but Im weighing up my options and thinking about taking the ban.
I can employ a driver for 6months for cheaper that the solicitors fee's, plus by employing someone its tax deductible.
Am I right in saying that the slate will be clean if I accept the ban ? I know the ban will hurt, but maybe its only way Im gonna learn.
Yeah I know, its silly.
Was at 12points awaiting court date and got more points.
Im taking 100-150 business calls/texts/emails a day so thats the problem right there. I should have an receptionist, Its my company, so Im alway eager to answer these enquiries, and Im always on the road. Got hands free etc etc, but actually the few times Ive been caught on phone its been just holding phone by side, rather than up at ear, but as the copper says holding the phone is holding the phone.
The ban will be the only way Ill learn I guess. Exceptional hardship plea was based on my business being my livelihood and the potential job losses at my company, but I guess employing a driver we can get by.
Was at 12points awaiting court date and got more points.
Im taking 100-150 business calls/texts/emails a day so thats the problem right there. I should have an receptionist, Its my company, so Im alway eager to answer these enquiries, and Im always on the road. Got hands free etc etc, but actually the few times Ive been caught on phone its been just holding phone by side, rather than up at ear, but as the copper says holding the phone is holding the phone.
The ban will be the only way Ill learn I guess. Exceptional hardship plea was based on my business being my livelihood and the potential job losses at my company, but I guess employing a driver we can get by.
photosnob]ornetrider said:
Eh? How does that work then? [/quote
You say if they take your license it will hurt someone else badly. Kids, wife, mum, dad etc...
Won't 'advise' the OP to lie - but there are things to say if he wants to avoid losing his ability to drive. Would probably pop down to the courts for a day and see what works for others. Then tailor what you need to say around that. A bit like revising for an exam.
My thinking is whats the point coming away from court with 12points again? I could try and get off but, surely better option is to take the ban, hopefully teaching me a lesson, saving me a few quid and getting clean slate. You say if they take your license it will hurt someone else badly. Kids, wife, mum, dad etc...
Won't 'advise' the OP to lie - but there are things to say if he wants to avoid losing his ability to drive. Would probably pop down to the courts for a day and see what works for others. Then tailor what you need to say around that. A bit like revising for an exam.
photosnob said:
All points are wiped are totting ban. Wouldn't spend 5 grand for a mitigation plea. Plead guilty and plead exceptional harship yourself. However if I were you I'd want the 6 month ban to get rid of the points for totting purposes.
So I have one case which takes me to a ban. I then have another 2 cases after that. So, Lets say I plead guilty on the court date next month, should I then plead exceptional hardship to other cases afterwards? Id be up for standing up in court and presenting my case, if I thought it would help. "Your honour, Im a young man working hard at business etc etc, considering my habit, Ive conceded that a ban may be the way to teach a lesson in this case. It will cause major upset to both my business and personal life, however I agree this is the best option. In the light of me accepting this ban, I ask that at least one of the further cases may be considered for dismissal"
Chance?
photosnob said:
Depends if you can stop speeding and using your phone. I'm not on zero points, have been done for lots of speeding and stuff in the past. Now I just drive slower and don't use my phone. Better to to drive for 6 months and change your ways than repeat this cycle forever.
Thats the thing, Ive clearly not been able to change my ways. Not being able to drive will kill me, but I think its only way Im going to learn. EmmaJ said:
Just a thought but will one or both of your new offences be covered by a speed / mobile phone awareness course?
Or have you already done those in the last 3 years?
Nope not done the courses?Or have you already done those in the last 3 years?
I have a solicitor who wants to deal with everything but bloody expensive, could I represent myself?
Cooperman said:
Surely if running your own business with that level of calls, emails and texts, the solution is to employ a chauffeur to do the driving whilst you sit in the back and work on improving the company profits. That way you won't be risking your licence when you get it back and being banned won't be a big issue.
The stress of constantly being on the phone whilst driving will eventually lead to a serious loss of concentration which could cost you more than a missed deal or contract.
Yeah it is a real problem to be honest, loss of concentration as you say. I need to visit all clients to quote. Im doing usually 5-8 visits a day, plus project managing etc too. The stress of constantly being on the phone whilst driving will eventually lead to a serious loss of concentration which could cost you more than a missed deal or contract.
EmmaJ said:
It depends on what the offences are for and for speeding you can only be slightly over the limit otherwise you won't qualify.
Also depends on the area where you were caught, some regions don't offer courses at all.
Certainly something to investigate before you commit yourself to pleading guilty and offering mitigation
How would I go about that!?Also depends on the area where you were caught, some regions don't offer courses at all.
Certainly something to investigate before you commit yourself to pleading guilty and offering mitigation
dacouch said:
Policeman 1 "I bet you £10 I can get him for using a phone while driving in the next ten minutes"
Policeman 2 "I'll take that bet"
Policeman 1 proceeds to dial Jamsters mobile number and when it's answered says "Pull over, you're nicked son"
Policeman 2 "I'll take that bet"
Policeman 1 proceeds to dial Jamsters mobile number and when it's answered says "Pull over, you're nicked son"
....Its texting thats the big problem actually. Ive been taking calls on handsfree for some time now, I think its rare to see anyone with phone to ear now, but I ALWAYS clock people looking down to text, which is where Ive been caught too 
Wasn't looking for sympathy and didn't expect it, Held hands up to having a problem, expected all the preachy posts, it is PH after all!
Its all very well preaching not knowing full extend of issues.
The business as grown a little too quickly perhaps and as its stands, everything still ran from home with 10 full time staff. No admin, no mangers just me and 9 working men, so Im often project managing 3-5 sites, doing admin, meeting clients etc etc literally ran off my feet all day and often night.
Leaving phone for a few hours results in maybe 15-20 unread texts. So yes the company clearly has infrastructure problems, its a shame its took this ban for me to realise.
Its easy to say get a receptionist in, but the nature of my business people want to talk to me, and Id only end up with phone calls every 5 mins from reception with questions, or a mountain of calls to return on my arrival. I guess, we need some middle management and receptionist.
Interesting about the windows phone text function, does apple do any apps similar? (For when Im back on the road!)
Its all very well preaching not knowing full extend of issues.
The business as grown a little too quickly perhaps and as its stands, everything still ran from home with 10 full time staff. No admin, no mangers just me and 9 working men, so Im often project managing 3-5 sites, doing admin, meeting clients etc etc literally ran off my feet all day and often night.
Leaving phone for a few hours results in maybe 15-20 unread texts. So yes the company clearly has infrastructure problems, its a shame its took this ban for me to realise.
Its easy to say get a receptionist in, but the nature of my business people want to talk to me, and Id only end up with phone calls every 5 mins from reception with questions, or a mountain of calls to return on my arrival. I guess, we need some middle management and receptionist.
Interesting about the windows phone text function, does apple do any apps similar? (For when Im back on the road!)
scarble said:
How is it too tempting?
I have literally NEVER had the urge to check my texts while driving, if you need your fix so badly there are many places where one can stop their car, perhaps at 30 or even 15 minute intervals, to satisfy your craving.
We are not talking about texting your pals here...often some messages are discussing contracts, or if guys are stuck with something onsite etc etc or a client confirming you have just won that big job you priced....Granted its still texting, but its not like Im browsing Facebook to see what my buddies are up to. I have literally NEVER had the urge to check my texts while driving, if you need your fix so badly there are many places where one can stop their car, perhaps at 30 or even 15 minute intervals, to satisfy your craving.
Anyway, lesson hopefully will be learned this time, few changes within business to cope with demand and hopefully will also reduce stress.
berlintaxi said:
Sounds like you are just making up excuses to me, how many serious business discussions take place by text.
You would be surprised, In my line of work, it works well..I have details of most conversations etc on text, which can easily be found if needed. Dealing with so many different people, its actually a good way to keep track of things.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff