Using a mobile phone whilst driving - No course?

[cashmax]

Last year I was caught by a speed camera van holding a mobile phone whilst driving. I do not deny the offence, I was holding my phone at the time (up to the screen to try and improve reception) because the hands free call I was on was breaking up.

The wrote to me asking the normal questions and asking me to identify the driver, with the a green note from Thames Valley Police, saying that this offence would probably qualify for a course if I met the criteria.

I wrote back the same day and today, I received a conditional offer of a fixed penalty (6 points and £200 fine) or court appearance. No mention of a course.

I have not done a speed awareness course for many years and wondered why I wasn't offered a course and if there is anything i can do about it?

[Countdown]

I didn't think courses were available for mobile phone offences.

ETA Google says the Courses were scrapped in 2017

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/police-forces/t...

[Cylon2007]

cashmax said:

The wrote to me asking the normal questions and asking me to identify the driver, with the a green note from Thames Valley Police, saying that this offence would probably qualify for a course if I met the criteria.

You clearly have not met the 'criteria' for the course, you do not have a right or a choice to the course.

Pay the fine, take the points, move on.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I can't help at all.


But, wow! That's an impressive nick by the van. I just assumed that the speed & data were processed by a computer. Was it a speed van or a van set up especially to catch people holding their phone I wonder?

(Not that it matters, and sorry I can't help)

[cashmax]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I can't help at all.


But, wow! That's an impressive nick by the van. I just assumed that the speed & data were processed by a computer. Was it a speed van or a van set up especially to catch people holding their phone I wonder?

(Not that it matters, and sorry I can't help)

It was just a normal speed camera van - I had no idea they were also setup to get you for holding your phone - but it was a fair cop.

[cashmax]

Countdown said:

I didn't think courses were available for mobile phone offences.

ETA Google says the Courses were scrapped in 2017

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/police-forces/t...

Ah I see, looks like TVP don't offer them anymore. Well that proved to be a very expensive mistake. Strange that they put a note in the NIP saying that this could be dealt with by way of a course, which was the main reason I was asking the question.

[Who_Goes_Blue]

Only 21 years since legislation was passed banning having a phone in your hand whilst driving and still people do it.
sorry for being that sanctimonious prick but jeez leave the phone alone.

[cashmax]

Who_Goes_Blue said:

Only 21 years since legislation was passed banning having a phone in your hand whilst driving and still people do it.
sorry for being that sanctimonious prick but jeez leave the phone alone.

I explained why the phone was in my hand, it could have been a bottle of water instead, it made no difference since I was on hands free and not looking at it. I fully accept the consequences (all bee them worse than I imagined), even if the law is a bit heavy handed when it comes to cases like mine.

But, yea, thanks for the point, you must be real fun around the dinner table.

[whimsical ninja]

You don't look at your phone when you hold it up to your ear either

[Tony1963]

OP, don’t bite. It’s a better look.

[E-bmw]

cashmax said:

Who_Goes_Blue said:

Only 21 years since legislation was passed banning having a phone in your hand whilst driving and still people do it.
sorry for being that sanctimonious prick but jeez leave the phone alone.

I explained why the phone was in my hand, it could have been a bottle of water

Unfortunately, there isn't an offence for "holding a bottle of water" but there is an offence for "using a hand-held device" of which you are guilty.

At this point you have 2 choices, either keep digging or build a bridge & get over it while hopefully learning a valuable lesson.

[agtlaw]

Countdown said:

I didn't think courses were available for mobile phone offences.

You thought wrong.

[2020vision]

cashmax said:

I explained why the phone was in my hand, it could have been a bottle of water instead, it made no difference since I was on hands free and not looking at it. I fully accept the consequences (all bee them worse than I imagined), even if the law is a bit heavy handed when it comes to cases like mine.

But, yea, thanks for the point, you must be real fun around the dinner table.

The consequences for you on this occasion were £200 and 6 points, or go to court to explain why you think otherwise.
The reason why the consequences are those that you have received is because doing 2 things at the same time means that one of them will not be completed with full attention and you may cause unforeseen consequences that turn out even worse for you and someone else. You seem to think it was OK to do 3 things at the same time, only one of them driving your vehicle. 1, make a hands-free call, 2, try to get a better reception by waving your phone about, 3, drive your car.
You can now have fun at parties telling everyone how wrong this all is. I would have fun at that party telling you what a ***t you have been. Hey-Ho.

[scorcher]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I can't help at all.


But, wow! That's an impressive nick by the van. I just assumed that the speed & data were processed by a computer. Was it a speed van or a van set up especially to catch people holding their phone I wonder?

(Not that it matters, and sorry I can't help)

It has an operator . They can cover speed, seatbelts , phones, number plates and driving without due care and possibly other stuff too.

[2020vision]

scorcher said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I can't help at all.


But, wow! That's an impressive nick by the van. I just assumed that the speed & data were processed by a computer. Was it a speed van or a van set up especially to catch people holding their phone I wonder?

(Not that it matters, and sorry I can't help)

It has an operator . They can cover speed, seatbelts , phones, number plates and driving without due care and possibly other stuff too.

They have a button on the video recorder than marks the incident for recall. See the incident, push the button, move on to the next vehicle.

[Countdown]

agtlaw said:

Countdown said:

I didn't think courses were available for mobile phone offences.

You thought wrong.

I'm sure you're very knowledgeable about this but you do come across as a bit of a tosser at times, if you don't mind me saying so.

Rather than just your monotonous "WRONG!" pronouncements it would be helpful to people if you could elaborate WHY I was wrong, thereby potentially explaining why the OP wasn't offered a course and why the TVP link is misleading.

Incidentally this is the Google link I was referring to

Edited by Countdown on Wednesday 15th January 16:00

[2020vision]

Countdown said:

I'm sure you're very knowledgeable about this but you do come across as a bit of a tosser at times, if you don't mind me saying so.

Rather than just your monotonous "WRONG!" pronouncements it would be helpful to people if you could elaborate WHY I was wrong, thereby potentially explaining why the OP wasn't offered a course and why the TVP link is misleading.

Incidentally this is the Google link I was referring to

Edited by Countdown on Wednesday 15th January 16:00

You are very perceptive.

[agtlaw]

See previous thread(s) on this subject

[agtlaw]

2020vision said:

You are very perceptive.

New username steve?

[anonymous-user]

Robot says:-
“ Thames Valley Police (TVP) no longer routinely offer driver awareness courses for individuals caught using a mobile phone while driving. Since March 2017, their policy has been to issue a fixed penalty notice, which includes a £200 fine and six penalty points on the driver’s licence, for such offences. Officers may use their discretion to offer a course in exceptional circumstances, but this is not common practice.

It’s important to note that using a handheld mobile phone while driving is illegal in the UK. Penalties for this offence include a £200 fine and six penalty points. If the case goes to court, fines can increase up to £1,000 (£2,500 for bus or lorry drivers), and drivers may face disqualification. New drivers who receive six points within two years of passing their test will lose their licence.

For more information on road safety and the consequences of using a mobile phone while driving, you can visit Thames Valley Police’s official website”