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[Lizzie_Zoom]

The speed awareness course that they've offered me is 150 miles away. I presume there are others that are closer.

I've also asked for a photograph to be sent to me.

Don't worry, you could do that in an hour in your miggy............no sweat!

Why the photo? Was it an attractive female officer that you want a photo of?

 

Sorry, I shouldn't make fun of your bad time Opti!

I'm genuinely unsure who was driving, Lizzie.

OMG, not another Chris Huhne  incident coming up!

 Blame Jan!

[doz]

Well if your going down that route then don't admit any guilt. Stand firm and write,phone and beg for the picture. I bet they still try to take you to but it's up to them to prove you guilty and for that you need the photo which I bet won't turn up. It will probably go all the way to the wire but I bet at the last minute they drop it.

[scottambrose]

some insurance companys will rape you if you've gone on the course too.

[tunnie]

some insurance companys will rape you if you've gone on the course too.

Don't see why, most only ask if you have any convictions or points in last 5 years. A course is neither 

[Lazydocker]

Well if your going down that route then don't admit any guilt. Stand firm and write,phone and beg for the picture. I bet they still try to take you to but it's up to them to prove you guilty and for that you need the photo which I bet won't turn up. It will probably go all the way to the wire but I bet at the last minute they drop it.

Not true any more... If you cannot determine the driver it falls back onto the registered keeper, as my old fella found out to his cost last year after ignoring my advice and appealing... 6 Points and £500 plus costs later he admitted he should have taken my advice

If you want my opinion, try for the picture but don't argue it. Once you know who's driving or, if you can't decide, which of you was driving Either take the course (which may be able to get transferred to the local course provider as I assume you were in another force area) or the points and £60

[Auto Addict]

Take the course, it will cost you more than that in increased insurance policies for the next 3 years.

[STMO123]

some insurance companys will rape you if you've gone on the course too.

Don't see why, most only ask if you have any convictions or points in last 5 years. A course is neither 

I think you are supposed to tell them.

[YZ250]

some insurance companys will rape you if you've gone on the course too.

Don't see why, most only ask if you have any convictions or points in last 5 years. A course is neither 

I do agree but it actually says on the speed awareness course letter that you should notify your insurer's that you have been on the course.    I think it's so thay can send you a certificate of achievement. 

As I was unsure who was driving, I asked for the photo and they sent it to me no problem.    It does state that if you intend to contest it, they will only produce the photo in court but if you are genuinely unsure who was driving they will send it to you. I've still got my photo as a reminder. 

[Lazydocker]

Oh, and if you feel hard done by... SWMBO got a course for doing 43 in a 40 Even the person running the course said she shouldn't have been there and it should have been dealt with by discretion and a quiet word, but a camera can't do that

[dbug]

Take the course mate - actually quite interesting particulary if you get an rsol on your course - we had one who tried to be obstructive and argumental all the way through.  The two guys running the course easily dealt with him and failed him at the end.  That meant that he had paid out for the course, but would now also cop the fine and points

I got done in Stevenage - police sent me a web link which had all the photos of my car, incl close up of plates and driver!

The documentation I was given at the couse stated that, providing you got your pass certificate, you needn't inform your insurers as your potential offence had been cancelled.  This was also confirmed verbally by one of the facilitators.

My course was originally scheduled in Stevenage - I contacted police and asked for a nearer course - they sent me details of one in Northampton, which was the one I attended.

HTH

[tunnie]

Oh, and if you feel hard done by... SWMBO got a course for doing 43 in a 40 Even the person running the course said she shouldn't have been there and it should have been dealt with by discretion and a quiet word, but a camera can't do that

I managed 53 in a 30 and got away with a course 

On bike someone pulled out ahead, instead of stomping on brakes, dab of power out and around. Bam. Radar gun 

[YZ250]

<snip>
The documentation I was given at the couse stated that, providing you got your pass certificate, you needn't inform your insurers as your potential offence had been cancelled.  This was also confirmed verbally by one of the facilitators.
HTH

Hmmm, it would appear that some are not abiding by this statement and are not playing ball:

Drivers who attend a speed awareness course instead of taking a fine and points on their licence may see their insurance premiums increase.
Some Insurer's are treating it as if it were a conviction, even though the police do not.
The insurance groups says its statistics show that drivers who have attended a course, pose a higher risk.
The Association of Chief Police Officers say the Insurer's stance could harm efforts to improve road safety.
A spokesperson for Insurance companies told us: "Although a speed awareness course is a replacement for penalty points, it does not change the fact that the person involved has committed a speeding offence."
"Our claims statistics show that drivers who have committed a speeding offence could be a higher risk than drivers who do not commit speeding offences.
"This means that people attending a speed awareness course are more likely to make a claim and we price these risks accordingly," the spokesperson said.
The increase in the Insurer's premiums comes despite assurances from some police forces and councils that attending a speed awareness course does not affect insurance policies. Investigator's have also spoken to drivers who were told by their course instructor that attendance would prevent their premiums increasing.
According to several drivers, the promise that insurance premiums will not increase is a key factor in their deciding whether to attend a speed awareness course - even though they are often more expensive than the standard speeding fine of £60.
However, the investigator's have learned of a number of cases where drivers have seen their annual premiums go up by hundreds of pounds as a result of going on a course.

So, there you have it. 

[tunnie]

Its an offence, but its not a conviction or had points applied through 

[Entwood]

Its an offence, but its not a conviction or had points applied through 

I believe that in the "letter of the law" it is "an admission of guilt" to the offence of speeding.

A conviction comes from going to court and having the matter "proved" against you. 

If you take the fine and points you are "admitting guilt", all this can be described as is a "different punishment" - the course instead of the fine/points... both require the "admission of guilt" otherwise you will be prosecuted in the courts to obtain the conviction.

My last renewal specifically asked 2 questions ..

1. Have you been convicted etc etc etc

2. Have you attended a speed or drink awareness course



A bit like asking .. "Have you had an accident......."

All based on the mathematical odds of you having another one ......

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

<snip>
The documentation I was given at the couse stated that, providing you got your pass certificate, you needn't inform your insurers as your potential offence had been cancelled.  This was also confirmed verbally by one of the facilitators.
HTH

Hmmm, it would appear that some are not abiding by this statement and are not playing ball:

Drivers who attend a speed awareness course instead of taking a fine and points on their licence may see their insurance premiums increase.
Some Insurer's are treating it as if it were a conviction, even though the police do not.
The insurance groups says its statistics show that drivers who have attended a course, pose a higher risk.
The Association of Chief Police Officers say the Insurer's stance could harm efforts to improve road safety.
A spokesperson for Insurance companies told us: "Although a speed awareness course is a replacement for penalty points, it does not change the fact that the person involved has committed a speeding offence."
"Our claims statistics show that drivers who have committed a speeding offence could be a higher risk than drivers who do not commit speeding offences.
"This means that people attending a speed awareness course are more likely to make a claim and we price these risks accordingly," the spokesperson said.
The increase in the Insurer's premiums comes despite assurances from some police forces and councils that attending a speed awareness course does not affect insurance policies. Investigator's have also spoken to drivers who were told by their course instructor that attendance would prevent their premiums increasing.
According to several drivers, the promise that insurance premiums will not increase is a key factor in their deciding whether to attend a speed awareness course - even though they are often more expensive than the standard speeding fine of £60.
However, the investigator's have learned of a number of cases where drivers have seen their annual premiums go up by hundreds of pounds as a result of going on a course.

So, there you have it. 

So we ( the general public) are well and truly screwed either way then.