What NOT to do with your new UK Driving License...

Most specifically, get flashed by the SAME SPEEDING CAMERA 2 times in the same week. Yep, that's me, silly me..... Ok, now technically I mean 2 cameras, but they are a pair in Sunningdale with one facing each way on the road...

This LOVELY little spot where in what seems like WAY to short of a period of time the speed goes from 60 to 40 to 30, and then back to 40 and 60 MPH. Alas, such is life.

I write this post mostly just in mourning for my shiny pink UK license as I assume, when this eventually propogates through the system, that I will end up with 6 points and being reset back to the beginning. I am sitting here this fine evening/morning filling out my lovely S172 documents, driver/keeper statement.

Ah well, I can guarantee now that I NEVER EVER EVER speed through that area anymore.

As the car is in my wife's name, first SHE has to fill the documents out and send them back, then they'll send them in MY name, which I'll fill out and send back, and finally they will move on to de-licensing me...

Has anyone else been in this situation? I have very silly hope that they will take mercy on me since it was the same area and during the same scope of time. I suspect, of course, that this is really rather unlikely.

Anyone have any advice?

No advice, I'm afraid, but I do really feel for you. I got zapped once within a fairly short time of getting my UK license and it definitely scared me straight. Even now, five years later, I never go one dot over the speed limit ever.

Unfortunately, I think you're probably right in guessing that it'll be unlikely for the powers that be to show mercy. I hope I'm wrong, but I wouldn't count on it.

So sorry!

Anyone have any advice?

Drink?

Drink?

LOL.... In honor of you and your humorous suggest Stoatula, I'll have to go for a dram of a nice single malt. I have a 16  year old Lagavulin here that shall do nicely...

Heh. We need to start a whisky thread. My DH doesn't touch the stuff, and won't buy me anything I haven't sampled before.

This means I mostly get gifts of Glenmorangie on birthdays and special occasions. I'm not complaining.

I really started trying single malts about a year back and have really grown to enjoy them. I've probably really given a good go at 7-8 different  brands. My favourite thus forth is the Balvenie Doublewood.

I love how a thread about losing your license has turned into one about drinking!

what seems like WAY to short of a period of time the speed goes from 60 to 40 to 30, and then back to 40 and 60 MPH. Alas, such is life.

{old fogey alert] You sound like my son! The speed limit goes from 60 to 40 etc. Maximum speed under any circumstances. Not recommended speed... Wise to leave points-avoiding margin... etc etc 

Does your wife have any/many points?

If not then why not say she was driving on one occassion and you were driving on the other - that way you will only get three points, she will get three points.....assuming she is insured to use the vehicle.

marriage is all about sharing....

Ummm, unfortunately my wife is still working on the whole acquiring of the license bit..... I won't mention, of course, that she's been in the country for 20 months now....... So you can imagine that putting them on me is actually the much better choice in the matter!

Hi!

Some hope! - You can be flashed by a GATSO and have nothing come through the door. I think you need to have a notice served within 14 days for it to be deemed you've been 'done' by these Cashcows, i mean GATSO's. Just hope that nothing comes through !
Over the years, I've been flashed a number of times and not had anything come through!
Speed cameras are a contentious element, a significant proportion are there simply to milk as much money out of the motorist as possible. You only have to look at some of the crazy places they put them to realise they're often not in a 'accident blackspot' but moreover in semi rural roads, and some within 800 yards of each other !

If you do get done, as in 6 points on your licence you'll have to suck it up and go through the motions - however, do search out the specialist vehicle type lawyers and see what they say - you never know, they may be able to argue 3 of them not being applied and allowing you to keep your license.

I'm also a Whiskey person - the usual suspects for me, Johnnie Walker Black, Green and Blue label, Chivas Regal - I do have some Glenmorangie, had some single malts when i've been totally drunk and forgotten the names of them! I'll also have JD, Jim Beam, Jamiesons and the latest favourite is something I was converted to last summer - I still just about remember the taxi home at 4am - Give a whiskey called 'Monkey Shoulder' a go ! it's a blend of 3 single malt's and all I can say is 'smooooooooth' , so smooth in fact, it led to four of us finishing a bottle in about 25 minutes!! - have a look at Oddbins online about £27 delivered.

Lastly, it might be worthwhile for you to get a GPS unit which has the Speed camera locations map on them, so as you approach you get a warning and have time to slow down, they wont do much against the mobile GATSO unit's you see, but should help with all the fixed position ones. PM me and I can let you know some more about those.

Good luck with the car stuff!
Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough  UK!

Johnnie Walker Black, Green and Blue label

Blue is my tipple of choice! 

Am I missing something here? Because if you don't break the speed limit, you don't get flashed?

I was clocked doing 57 in a 50 zone on the motorway near Birmingham (the speed limit had just changed - it was one of those stretches where they vary the speed limit depending on traffic conditions, but I know that's no excuse).  As this was my first 'offence', I have been 'offered' a fine and 3 points off my licence or going on a 'speed awareness course' (with no points off my licence), so I have opted to do the course.  I have been able to transfer to my local area to do the course, so I don't have to go back to Birmingham.  Maybe you will be offered this as an alternative?

a 'speed awareness course' (with no points off my licence)

The course fee is around £65 I think. Once you have attended a Speed Awareness Course you are not allowed to do another for a minimum of 3 years.