Not offered a speed awareness course, why not?
Discussion
Just received my letter notifying me of my choice of either 3 points and £100.00 fine or go to court to argue it. My speed was 57 in a 50 on the Oxford bypass A34, I was caught using a hand held device.
I always assumed a speed awareness course was offered even more so for offences whre the speed in no way excessive. I don't want 3 points on my licence as insurance will cost quite a bit more for the next 5 years I guess.
Any reasons why it might not be offered?
I always assumed a speed awareness course was offered even more so for offences whre the speed in no way excessive. I don't want 3 points on my licence as insurance will cost quite a bit more for the next 5 years I guess.
Any reasons why it might not be offered?
Assuming you are eligible for a course it's certainly unusual not to be offered one for up to 64 in a 50. You have nothing to lose by contacting them and asking why. FYI if you have a good driving history and perhaps aren't a 17 year old tearaway, then just 3 points is likely to have a fairly negligible effect if any on your insurance premiums
Crazy4557 said:
Just received my letter notifying me of my choice of either 3 points and £100.00 fine or go to court to argue it. My speed was 57 in a 50 on the Oxford bypass A34, I was caught using a hand held device.
I always assumed a speed awareness course was offered even more so for offences whre the speed in no way excessive. I don't want 3 points on my licence as insurance will cost quite a bit more for the next 5 years I guess.
Any reasons why it might not be offered?
Why would you expect to get a speed awareness course for using a hand held device?I always assumed a speed awareness course was offered even more so for offences whre the speed in no way excessive. I don't want 3 points on my licence as insurance will cost quite a bit more for the next 5 years I guess.
Any reasons why it might not be offered?
Sidecar Man said:
There's no legal entitlement to a course, these are offered at the sole discretion of police, and the courts have no powers over courses. If an offer for a course is made to you, the police can withdraw the offer at any time before the course has been successfully completed.
Yes that's correct, but as I said it is unusual not to be offered one by Thames valley, I have just dealt with an offence about 6 months ago from the same area and a course was offered at 63 on the same road.OP How long ago was the offence, if it is a considerable time because maybe it has gone through 3 or 4 different responders before it landed with you then a course offer starts to become more unlikely so as to prevent the possibility of the offence timing out if you later failed to attend the course
Crazy4557 said:
Just received my letter notifying me of my choice of either 3 points and £100.00 fine or go to court to argue it. My speed was 57 in a 50 on the Oxford bypass A34, I was caught using a hand held device.
I always assumed a speed awareness course was offered even more so for offences whre the speed in no way excessive. I don't want 3 points on my licence as insurance will cost quite a bit more for the next 5 years I guess.
Any reasons why it might not be offered?
So you committed two offences. I always assumed a speed awareness course was offered even more so for offences whre the speed in no way excessive. I don't want 3 points on my licence as insurance will cost quite a bit more for the next 5 years I guess.
Any reasons why it might not be offered?
Sounds like for the speeding your getting 3 points and £100 fine.
Are you also being prosecuted for using the handheld device? That's 6 points and £200.
If you get away with just the punishment for speeding, you should consider yourself very lucky and not make too much noise about it.
Edit... on second reading, I think you mean the Police were using a hand held device to catch you speeding.
As others have said, they don't have to offer you SAC
Edited by Rivenink on Wednesday 28th September 21:07
Rivenink said:
So you committed two offences.
Sounds like for the speeding your getting 3 points and £100 fine.
Are you also being prosecuted for using the handheld device? That's 6 points and £200.
If you get away with just the punishment for speeding, you should consider yourself very lucky and not make too much noise about it.
He was caught by a hand held device, ie plod hiding in the bushesSounds like for the speeding your getting 3 points and £100 fine.
Are you also being prosecuted for using the handheld device? That's 6 points and £200.
If you get away with just the punishment for speeding, you should consider yourself very lucky and not make too much noise about it.
martinbiz said:
Assuming you are eligible for a course it's certainly unusual not to be offered one for up to 64 in a 50. You have nothing to lose by contacting them and asking why. FYI if you have a good driving history and perhaps aren't a 17 year old tearaway, then just 3 points is likely to have a fairly negligible effect if any on your insurance premiums
I'm a 65yo boy racer 
but with previous experience of speeding points I always seem to get clobbered by insurance companies raising their premiums for minor speeding offences over the years. Fingers crossed they are fair and by the way I'm not a serial speeder.martinbiz said:
Yes that's correct, but as I said it is unusual not to be offered one by Thames valley, I have just dealt with an offence about 6 months ago from the same area and a course was offered at 63 on the same road.
OP How long ago was the offence, if it is a considerable time because maybe it has gone through 3 or 4 different responders before it landed with you then a course offer starts to become more unlikely so as to prevent the possibility of the offence timing out if you later failed to attend the course
Offence was back in early June and I had a hire van so it's taken a while to get notified. I'll certainly get in touch and ask though, does anyone know the contact details?OP How long ago was the offence, if it is a considerable time because maybe it has gone through 3 or 4 different responders before it landed with you then a course offer starts to become more unlikely so as to prevent the possibility of the offence timing out if you later failed to attend the course
Crazy4557 said:
martinbiz said:
Assuming you are eligible for a course it's certainly unusual not to be offered one for up to 64 in a 50. You have nothing to lose by contacting them and asking why. FYI if you have a good driving history and perhaps aren't a 17 year old tearaway, then just 3 points is likely to have a fairly negligible effect if any on your insurance premiums
I'm a 65yo boy racer but with previous experience of speeding points I always seem to get clobbered by insurance companies raising their premiums for minor speeding offences over the years. Fingers crossed they are fair and by the way I'm not a serial speeder.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff