First Ticket Since 1990...
Discussion
Unfortunately I just received a NIP in the post for 36mph in a 30 limit. Camera van & a fair cop.
Anyway, I haven't had a run in with the law since 1990, the only time I have received 3 points, so I'm a bit of a virgin concerning current procedures.
I'm guessing the options will be 3 points or a SAC, both costing c.£100.
Questions:
Are SACs generally online or is there a face to face classroom option still available?
Is it worth it to take the SAC over points with regard to future insurance premiums given my exemplary driving record?
I will of course respond to the letter: is it best to go to their website & enter the PIN code etc rather than post back the form?
How long do these things generally take? If I book a holiday, will there be a selection of SAC dates, or do I have to suck it up & cancel my holiday if there is a date clash??
Anyway, I haven't had a run in with the law since 1990, the only time I have received 3 points, so I'm a bit of a virgin concerning current procedures.
I'm guessing the options will be 3 points or a SAC, both costing c.£100.
Questions:
Are SACs generally online or is there a face to face classroom option still available?
Is it worth it to take the SAC over points with regard to future insurance premiums given my exemplary driving record?
I will of course respond to the letter: is it best to go to their website & enter the PIN code etc rather than post back the form?
How long do these things generally take? If I book a holiday, will there be a selection of SAC dates, or do I have to suck it up & cancel my holiday if there is a date clash??
Biker 1 said:
Is it worth it to take the SAC over points with regard to future insurance premiums given my exemplary driving record?
The answer to this is fairly obvious - yes! Because you never know when you my get done again. The three points probably wouldn't make much difference, but six might and nine definitely would...
Only exception would be if you intend to drive immaculately after this. But if you do, then why weren't you already?
(Can't answer anything about the SACs themselves. I've never been eligible for one, only UK speeding offence was negotiated to 95 in 70)
Sadly the acceleration of my motorcycle got me into trouble on this one at the traffic lights....
I'm quite surprised they zapped me from the opposite carriageway, rear facing, through some iron railings in the central reservation & apparently manually operated. The operator must have the reflexes of a cat!
I'm quite surprised they zapped me from the opposite carriageway, rear facing, through some iron railings in the central reservation & apparently manually operated. The operator must have the reflexes of a cat!
Biker 1 said:
Sadly the acceleration of my motorcycle got me into trouble on this one at the traffic lights....
I'm quite surprised they zapped me from the opposite carriageway, rear facing, through some iron railings in the central reservation & apparently manually operated. The operator must have the reflexes of a cat!
Are you sure about that? They may have snapped you coming towards the light, even if the photo supplied is from the rear to get the plate.I'm quite surprised they zapped me from the opposite carriageway, rear facing, through some iron railings in the central reservation & apparently manually operated. The operator must have the reflexes of a cat!
Somewhatfoolish said:
Are you sure about that? They may have snapped you coming towards the light, even if the photo supplied is from the rear to get the plate.
Yep. I've driven vans, cars & motorcycles past this spot on multiple occasions. Camera van must be there several times per month, so I should have known better. I'm just surprised how sensitive/accurate their camera system is & how easy it is to take your eye off the ball!Biker 1 said:
Sadly the acceleration of my motorcycle got me into trouble on this one at the traffic lights....
I'm quite surprised they zapped me from the opposite carriageway, rear facing, through some iron railings in the central reservation & apparently manually operated. The operator must have the reflexes of a cat!
Not really. Anyone with a reasonable degree of hand/eye coordination can be trained to do that in 10 to 15 minutes. 36 isn’t a challenge. 136 would take about 30 to 40 minutes practice.I'm quite surprised they zapped me from the opposite carriageway, rear facing, through some iron railings in the central reservation & apparently manually operated. The operator must have the reflexes of a cat!
It is light the operator is using to illuminate you. Hardly a competition at any vehicle speed between the light and the vehicle. The further away you are the easier it is.
It will be quicker if you do it online than by post. Plus you can check the pics.
Not sure about irl class availability. I did an SAC in person a few years ago but that was (just) pre-Covid.
Main memory is being surprised by how many of the class had v little clue about speed limits and how to spot them. I seem to recall that only about 3 of us out of 20 or so knew that the limit on a non-motorway DC is 70, for example.
Not sure about irl class availability. I did an SAC in person a few years ago but that was (just) pre-Covid.
Main memory is being surprised by how many of the class had v little clue about speed limits and how to spot them. I seem to recall that only about 3 of us out of 20 or so knew that the limit on a non-motorway DC is 70, for example.
You can even do the SAC online (via zoom) these days. You have a window of several months to book something, so should be able to find a slot during an evening so you don't have to waste holiday or productive time visiting somewhere in person.
The one I did recently was much better than one I did years ago, which was all 'speeding is bad', whereas the new one was all about 'why do you speed' and tips for being calm behind the wheel.
The one I did recently was much better than one I did years ago, which was all 'speeding is bad', whereas the new one was all about 'why do you speed' and tips for being calm behind the wheel.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Even more people won't know what a DC is.
And to join in the debate rather than make facile comments, to be fair the definition of a DC is a little obscure. The instructor at the last SAC I went on made a complete hash of what was needed between the carriageways to make it a DC!E-bmw said:
dontlookdown said:
only about 3 of us out of 20 or so knew that the limit on a non-motorway DC is 70, for example.
You would be amazed at how many people will get that one wrong.
TX.
I got done a couple of weeks ago, 67 in a 60. I tried to book a in person course and there was one available at my local centre, but the date wasn't convenient. I tried to book another this morning and now there are none available in my area at all, despite there supposedly being 7 centres I was prepared to go to. I'll probably just book a online course rather than complain, but there must be quite a lot of people not prepared to do a online course, what are they meant to do?
TwigtheWonderkid said:
E-bmw said:
dontlookdown said:
only about 3 of us out of 20 or so knew that the limit on a non-motorway DC is 70, for example.
You would be amazed at how many people will get that one wrong.Speed Matters | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff