3 points or SAC
Author
Discussion

scotlandtim

Original Poster:

437 posts

153 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
No excuses, not looking for an "out"

Clean license for 20 yrs

NIP came through this am From Northumbria Police - 35 in a 30 .

outcome likely to be 3 points and fine, or SAC.

Im tempted to take the points and fine as I can't be bothered with a SAC, also will be a loss of days income (im self employed) which will likely be more than the £100 fine (is that right) and its my understanding that the first 3 points on a licence dont make a huge difference to insurance etc.

Any advice otherwise?

Thanks


Pebbles167

4,486 posts

177 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
Up to you. I'd take the course, it's quite decent.

But yes you can refuse and just take the points.

Dixy

3,526 posts

230 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
SAC
Do online so only an hour out of a day
cost is £100 either way
use the get out of jail free card
Smile and wave and don't react.

Dog Star

17,399 posts

193 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
From my own experience when I got three points it DID affect insurance - across six vehicles!

Also bear in mind that should you get caught again in the next three years and you don’t get the option of a course (I for example got my three points for 44 in a 30; I thought the limit was 40 as it was a big DC. My fault. No option for a SAC) then you will be on six points. Then you’ll really regret not taking the course.

I genuinely can’t fathom taking the points.

vikingaero

12,591 posts

194 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
Dixy said:
SAC
Do online so only an hour out of a day
cost is £100 either way
use the get out of jail free card
Smile and wave and don't react.
I'd agree. Fit it in/around your day or book the latest one possible.

There's no attending centres for hours. It's online, one and done and is one of your nine lives, which you may need in future.

scotlandtim

Original Poster:

437 posts

153 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
Thanks all

Feeling thoroughly pissed off with myself

Imagine getting caught for 35 in a 30, why didnt they bust me properly, I regularly do 100 plus in a 60 mph zone (joke!)

OK so SAC seems a much more sensible option in hindsight, esp as can be done online, so will try to fit around family / work etc

Anyone done one? Is it as much of a headache as Im imagining it to be?

Thanks!


vikingaero

12,591 posts

194 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
scotlandtim said:
Thanks all

Feeling thoroughly pissed off with myself

Imagine getting caught for 35 in a 30, why didnt they bust me properly, I regularly do 100 plus in a 60 mph zone (joke!)

OK so SAC seems a much more sensible option in hindsight, esp as can be done online, so will try to fit around family / work etc

Anyone done one? Is it as much of a headache as Im imagining it to be?

Thanks!
My 80 year old Dad did one a few months ago at my house. biggrin The organiser saw me and I explained that I was just setting it up for him and I would leave. I did listen in from the kitchen and all you have to do is engage a little - they'll show you a video and he'll ask the group (of maybe 8 people) what they thought was a hazard. So just say what you see - a pub delivery lorry unloading on double yellow lines, bend in road etc etc. If my Dad can do it, so can anyone.

I worked out the camera angle from which I was invisible and watched some of it and it really is a doddle.

scotlandtim

Original Poster:

437 posts

153 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
Thanks - prob best option then!

Tam_Mullen

2,704 posts

197 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
If your username is a hint that you live in Scotland then all the more reason to take an SAC and effectively get off 'scot-free' with being caught speeding, as you'll be aware theres no such option up here!

mr rusty

217 posts

117 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
The courses are painless. 2-3 hours on a screen watching a few videos etc. Mildly interesting in some places. I'd book the earliest slot you can. You'll be done and dusted by late morning.

scotlandtim

Original Poster:

437 posts

153 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
Tam_Mullen said:
If your username is a hint that you live in Scotland then all the more reason to take an SAC and effectively get off 'scot-free' with being caught speeding, as you'll be aware theres no such option up here!
Yes, living in Scotland, but I crossed the border to commit my crime.....!

Jamescrs

6,028 posts

90 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
I did an SAC in January caught doing 70mph in a van on a duel carriage way, I forgot van's have lower limits.
The course was about 3 hours with a break in the middle, it was ok but they are keen on making sure there is no one in the room to cause a distraction and they will ask you to contribute to the course to make sure you are paying attention.

If you go in with the right attitude to it it's ok, it's not taxing at all. It does make you think about a few things.

KobayashiMaru86

1,859 posts

235 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
It's very much an attitude test. Some of it was interesting but some of I wanted to speak up about and question but thought better of it. All it is is them pushing that speed is bad. Not actual driving ability. I got pings for 80 in a 70 on a dual going uphill in a Swift. Overegged it as it was a steep hill and I was carrying luggage. I reviewed my dashcam and I had no hope of seeing him from the drivers seat. He was on an overhead bridge right on the left edge. Lesson learned

Freakuk

4,483 posts

176 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
Did one a few years ago, but this was class room based.

Some of it a bit patronising, some of it was actually quite useful and a reminder of stuff quickly forgotten after passing your test.

I'd imagine an on-line one to be much better.

SodiumThiopental

137 posts

1 month

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
If I were you, I’d take the course. It’s just a couple of hours you can tune out from, better than points and a fine, I’d have thought.

abzmike

11,504 posts

131 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
My wife got 3 points last year - Made a direct effect of £100 on out insurance premium come renewal time.
We don't have SAC up here - if we did, and I needed to, I'd take it every time.

sixor8

8,116 posts

293 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
I did an SAC last year, it wasn't as bad as many made out. Same cost £100, not even discounted online so I had a day out in Bridgnorth. smile

SodiumThiopental

137 posts

1 month

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
abzmike said:
My wife got 3 points last year - Made a direct effect of £100 on out insurance premium come renewal time.
We don't have SAC up here - if we did, and I needed to, I'd take it every time.
Don’t you only get one chance? I thought you don’t get the option if you get caught again.

Nicetobenice

537 posts

3 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
I did one recently

It's 3 hours all online

Just prepare yourself to nod in agreement when the person running the course says something you don't necessarily agree with.

On the positive it was a good refresher on the rules about certain limits and also a reminder that half the country has absolutely no idea what a dual carriageway is.

And if the latest one I did is anything to go by it's perfectly acceptable to do the course in bed wearing a dressing gown.

Worth taking if it's an option as there's always a chance you get caught again.

Dog Star

17,399 posts

193 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
If you’re in Scotland then it’s an absolute no-brainer. Typical that the joyless “govern me harder” crew in charge up there don’t have them.

I did mine in person at Walsden (W Yorkshire) cricket club and the blokes running it were brilliant, they really honestly made it an enjoyable experience. Hot drinks and biscuits provided too.