New Speeding Fines from April

[f90x]

Get Away with what? Drivers awareness? WTF WHY? get your lass to take the hit! anyone who considers one of these pointless courses is a bigger pudding than the poor soul who has to conduct them. BULLSHIT!! Take it on the chin and grow a pair.

Why is it pointless?

Pointless on two counts, no points added to your license and they do not make you aware, my son in law took one and sat next to a guy who had attended 5 of them. As Fontana says some insurers are asking you if you have attended one and then hiking your premiums in the same way as penalty points do. My comments may seem harsh and personal but my angst is really against these bloody stupid courses that do nothing. I have taken the points and as far as I was concerned they could stick the course where the sun does not shine. Could not really justify a day off work either.

Well, mine made me more aware and I'm sure that I'm not alone. Perhaps it's something to do with intelligence and responsibility. As for five courses; Well, given that one is only allowed to take the option of a speed awareness course three years after the last one I find the likelihood of anyone having attended five of them highly unlikely and if they have then they really are a total arsehole and should be banned forever.
Just recently I have had to get quotes for both my bike and car. I have spoken to five bike insurers and four car insurers. Whilst there are many more, none of them asked if I had been on a speed awareness course. All of them asked if I had been convicted of speeding and received points. I haven't had either for over 15 years so my premiums are unaffected. On the course, we are assured that unless we are asked specifically we do not have to declare it. We were told that (as far as he knew) it was only the Admiral group that asked and then penalised for it.
In my opinion it's not a 'bloody stupid course' and I have spoken to others over the years that feel the same.
If you haven't been on one, I fail to see how you can have a relevant opinion.

[Herb]

My wife did speed awareness a few years back. She got a lot from it. She got caught because she thought she was in a 40, not a 30. The knowledge she gained on the course has helped her.

I personally have been through IAM, RoSPA, plus numerous vocational driving courses. I'm not an expert but I know enough not to be speeding by mistake. I was speeding through choice and I got caught.

[fontana]

Years ago I decided to go down the IAM route with the car.
I did an introductory classroom session with a group of about 10 other people.
I was absolutely astounded at how ignorant most of them were, especially in regard to speed limits.
Yes, I think people like these can benefit from the courses, but I don't believe that there is anything they can tell the competent driver / rider, that they don't know already.
If I'm wrong, perhaps someone who has attended a speed awareness course, could tell me what it was they learned that they didn't already know.

[SP250]

I know that on the awarness course that I attended, that after about the third time we were told that "speeding kills, wreck lives and maims other people", I suggested that not all speeding ends in an accident, and the tactics were somewhat scaremongering.

I was told to shut up because the "instructor " had to approve my attendance at the course and agree that I had learnt something.
He could decide otherwise and I would be open to prosecution, another fine and the points I was trying to avoid by attending the course.
So I obviously stopped stating the obvious when the instructor was in error and came away with a very dim view of the efficacy of the education value of these courses.

Oh, and if you get done miles away from home, you don't have to go back to do the course where you got caught - what they wanted me to do.
You can do it local to your home - but they don't tell you that, you have to ask. And the course was half the price here as it was in london.

[f90x]

I know that on the awarness course that I attended, that after about the third time we were told that "speeding kills, wreck lives and maims other people", I suggested that not all speeding ends in an accident, and the tactics were somewhat scaremongering.

I was told to shut up because the "instructor " had to approve my attendance at the course and agree that I had learnt something.
He could decide otherwise and I would be open to prosecution, another fine and the points I was trying to avoid by attending the course.
So I obviously stopped stating the obvious when the instructor was in error and came away with a very dim view of the efficacy of the education value of these courses.

Oh, and if you get done miles away from home, you don't have to go back to do the course where you got caught - what they wanted me to do.
You can do it local to your home - but they don't tell you that, you have to ask. And the course was half the price here as it was in london.

That's a shame you got treated like that. There's areseholes in every profession. I have to say that mine was a positive experience. I also questioned our 'presenter' but was given a fair hearing. Our guy was actually very good I thought. Yes, the emphasis was on speed (the clue is in the name of the course and what we were caught doing) but it was geared towards built up areas and the damage that it can do in that environment. Motorways and other faster roads were given equal billing but it was more about safe distances and braking. That element really hit home for me I have to say. I live in London so am already aware of the dangers of fast diving in built up areas.
I cant remember if I was told I had the option of venues in my original letter offering the course but the online booking system certainly gave me that option. I t was never a case of having to return to Surrey.
Part of the reason I hought it was good was because so many of the people on my course literally had 'no clue' about rules of the road and in some cases a clear absence of any common sense. I have to say; there was quite a lot in general ignorance in that room and a couple of guys were just bloody minded and negative. One of them just shouldn't have been allowed on the roads frankly. A number people thought that there was a fast lane and one of those admitted that they thought that it was the 'inside lane'. I wonder how many others had the same thought but didn't admit it. Many thought that most accidents involving pedestrians were in the countryside (based on higher speeds) rather than built up areas. There was much more but ultimately those people have hopefully come away with more knowledge, and hopefully it will make a difference to how they drive. I definitely took something away regarding motorway driving, stopping distances and related speed.
My speeding was in a 30. I gassed up leaving a car park as the traffic always whips down the hill from the right and I just held on to the speed a little too long and set off the camera at 33 or 4 (can't remember which) slightly mitigating but still my fault.

[Britisherspy]

I thoroughly recommend speed awareness courses. I think everyone should do one. Particularly the careful car drivers who have been getting away with it for decades. I get annoyed for example coming from a NS limit into a 30 area and observe a following car or bike getting closer and closer then overtaking me only to turn into the next road in the village. It's usually the locals who are soiling their own area with excessive speed cos 'they know the area'.

I see my elderly neighbour regularly ploughing through the 20, 30 and 40 limits at a steady 40. She's never had an accident or been caught so until she does why would she do anything differently.

Compulsory course every 5 years would be a real lifesaver or voluntary advanced training .

[fontana]

Compulsory course every 5 years would be a real lifesaver or voluntary advanced training .

Not sure I agree with that, but I do think compulsory eye testing should be implemented.
It's the most important sense when driving, and is prone to deterioration, but it is never checked.
If they consider it important enough to test eyesight as part of the driving test, then why don't believe there should be a continuous evaluation.
I reckon if it did happen, a lot of people who shouldn't be on the road at all would be weeded out and lives potentially saved

[stevesilver]

Piss poor driving and bad judgement is what causes accidents and kills.

Right or wrong I'm of the opinion that it is inappropriate speed is the biggest problem, and peoples driving far exceeds their capability.

I speed, which I know is wrong, but I have a fast bike, fast ish anyhow and at times I do go over the limit. Whilst speeding I'm 1000% focused on the road ahead and behind.

If i get caught, its my own fault for lack of observation.

Happened couple years ago in my van, bloody granny in front of me and I was in a rush. = 3 points and £100 fine. Held my hands up and took it on the chin

[slparry]

Piss poor driving and bad judgement is what causes accidents and kills.

Right or wrong I'm of the opinion that it is inappropriate speed is the biggest problem, and peoples driving far exceeds their capability.

I speed, which I know is wrong, but I have a fast bike, fast ish anyhow and at times I do go over the limit. Whilst speeding I'm 1000% focused on the road ahead and behind.

If i get caught, its my own fault for lack of observation.

Happened couple years ago in my van, bloody granny in front of me and I was in a rush. = 3 points and £100 fine. Held my hands up and took it on the chin

I seem to recall in the analysis of accidents they reckon 25% are due to excess speed. Which every time I hear it makes a voice in my head immediately say that means 75% of accidents have nothing to do with speed so why are the obsessing about it?

[fontana]

I seem to recall in the analysis of accidents they reckon 25% are due to excess speed. Which every time I hear it makes a voice in my head immediately say that means 75% of accidents have nothing to do with speed so why are the obsessing about it?

Speeding is clear cut, and generates plenty of revenue,
Poor driving much more difficult to prove.

[slparry]

I seem to recall in the analysis of accidents they reckon 25% are due to excess speed. Which every time I hear it makes a voice in my head immediately say that means 75% of accidents have nothing to do with speed so why are the obsessing about it?

Speeding is clear cut, and generates plenty of revenue,
Poor driving much more difficult to prove.

precisely

[boxerscott]

eck, It`s incredulous that mature men who have been caught speeding are prepared to sit through all that "you naughty boy" guff and then conclude they got something out of it. You save three points on your license, miss a day`s pay and keep someone in employment who would better serve on front line duties. You then kid yourself you are a better motorist/rider for it. Sure.
It will not be long before all insurers jump on this cash cow and deprive the other leeches.

Do you get a SACS certificate as well as tea and biscuits

BTW the guy who has been on 5 sacs does need a ban and that is why sacs does not work cos no one is counting.

[f90x]

eck, It`s incredulous that mature men who have been caught speeding are prepared to sit through all that "you naughty boy" guff and then conclude they got something out of it. You save three points on your license, miss a day`s pay and keep someone in employment who would better serve on front line duties. You then kid yourself you are a better motorist/rider for it. Sure.
It will not be long before all insurers jump on this cash cow and deprive the other leeches.

Do you get a SACS certificate as well as tea and biscuits

BTW the guy who has been on 5 sacs does need a ban and that is why sacs does not work cos no one is counting.

You are without doubt the most negative person I have ever encountered. Online or otherwise.

[Britisherspy]

eck, It`s incredulous that mature men who have been caught speeding are prepared to sit through all that "you naughty boy" guff and then conclude they got something out of it. You save three points on your license, miss a day`s pay and keep someone in employment who would better serve on front line duties. You then kid yourself you are a better motorist/rider for it. Sure.
It will not be long before all insurers jump on this cash cow and deprive the other leeches.

Do you get a SACS certificate as well as tea and biscuits

BTW the guy who has been on 5 sacs does need a ban and that is why sacs does not work cos no one is counting.

I believe in life long learning - you are never too old or cantankerous to learn something new. Or be reminded of stuff you have forgotten. I could not believe how stupid some people are that have a driving license - they are the ones who need to be reminded that driving/riding is a privilege not a right.

[stevesilver]

I thoroughly recommend speed awareness courses. I think everyone should do one. Particularly the careful car drivers who have been getting away with it for decades. I get annoyed for example coming from a NS limit into a 30 area and observe a following car or bike getting closer and closer then overtaking me only to turn into the next road in the village. It's usually the locals who are soiling their own area with excessive speed cos 'they know the area'.

I see my elderly neighbour regularly ploughing through the 20, 30 and 40 limits at a steady 40. She's never had an accident or been caught so until she does why would she do anything differently.

Compulsory course every 5 years would be a real lifesaver or voluntary advanced training .

Best thing I ever did was take the IAM motorcycle training and exam.
Having been a member of a certain IAM region after I passed my test, and this being a forum with lots BMW owners, including me now, and a lot of IAM members having BMW's I need to tread carefully

I was lucky when I was assigned a observer, in that he was very much for "making progress" didn't own a BMW either
His philosophy is basically 30 in a 30, 40 in a 40 then the rest just use your brain. Trouble with the IAM and probably other "advanced" training groups is in my opinion they can be very anal. Stick to the speed limits at all times is their philosophy , and they really do.
Bloody hell you go out on a sunday run with one of these guys leading it and it is so BORING.

You go out with say the guy who taught me and its 30 in a 30 40 in a 40 religiously and yeh British spy I see all the car drivers catch up, but when the national appears the fun starts again.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating speeding, far from it, and by no means am I the quickest rider or a riding god.

What I am,is someone who when out on my bike engage their brain, stick to limits in the villages and enjoy myself at my ability level in the nationals.
I'll add that I only ride my bike now for pleasure and its always out in the countryside.

Providing you don't get a analguy I cannot speak highly enough of the IAM. Although I hear that any fun is being removed by the health and saftey bridgade .

End of the day, if you get caught speeding, its your own fault for not being aware enough of your surrondings and seeing whatever it is that has nicked you.

Take whatever punishment you get on the chin.

I've got 3 points now, first points since 1980, and I'm even more alert to things that want to nick me.
Just bear in mind that over the ton is 99% a ban.