Warning!!! Mobile Phones,

[Guy88]

On the hands free bit. i got a bluetooth head unint in my MK3. as soon as it picks the phone up it connects. and the auto answer works after 2 rings

[Smooth Hound]

Three points is too many, the points system stinks anyway.

You are probably right it is a bit steep, but thats the way it is, the thing is is there is god knows how many drivers in this country, and like all other things there is always going to be peoplke who will not try to be cooporetive in any way, they think they are the best driver in the world, they go as fast as they want, and they really couldnt give a s88t if they hit someone or not, so because of that in something like the road system there has to be harsh laws because its a dangerous place to be, and its just as likely the innocent that get killed or maimed, No these days the roads are dangerous, and humans being humans always believe it wont happen to them, but the thing is it does often, so they are wrong, and we cant all be the best driver in the world (except me) so we are wrong about that as well.

[stevo]

Alot of people on here now that i lost my license after 18 months of driving because i had 6 points within the space of a week. Both through speeding tickets. They wouldnt even let me appeal. Its stupid, maybe two points per ticket but to have a system like that is stupid. I see some stupid a***holes on the road and wonder how they arent banned.

[Smooth Hound]

Point taken, i would be annoyed as well, the same might be happening to my son , he mighhave to do his test again as he was doing 38 in a 30 limit, I must admit youngsters are having a rough time in that way with the insurance as well. But i bet you will do 29 in a 30 limit next time. Yes i agree that you should not have to do a retest but if you reached the 9 points i think it is now, then you should have lost youre licence, like anyone else should, but i think it should be given back to you after a period of 3 or 6 or 12 months. But i can understand where you are coming from. I am aware of your licence problems and ithe problems it bought to light in you work, and i did give you some advice on what i thought you should do on a thread a couple of months ago. The lesson is though is, is to not take for granted the importance of your licence, because life can be a pain in the butt without one.

[stevo]

And it has been in one way, less stressed at work though.

[Altransit]

Good point Ibanez (no pun intended) about the amount of points, particularly when they are the result of a fixed penalty i.e no chance to explain yourself to anyone.
One or two points and a heftier fine, I'm sure would make anyone think again, without the life changing result of losing a licence.

I think many of the older drivers on here, myself included, would have been in the same boat as you had there been as many cameras when we were 17.

[stevo]

Well im 23, not that old i know but i was learning to drive for 2 years, the reason for that is i broke my thumb and was skint most of the time, but that i feel led to me being a bit more cautious and gave me more road savvy, you see these week long "learn to drive" causes but they are crap.

I wouldnt have minded a decent size fine, its gonna cost me a fortune to get my license back anyway.

[Altransit]

Sorry mate, I wasn't implying that you were 17, I know you're older

What i meant was I sympathise with younger drivers, both my driving sons have collected points in the last two months, and they're both good drivers, (one has been taking an advanced driving course) and the points will probably raise their already exorbitant insurance premiums. If the younger one gets caught again, he will be the same as you.

There can't be many on here that can honestly say that they NEVER speed.

[stevo]

Yeah, its unfair. It taught me a harsh lesson though.

[Luke]

its gonna cost me a fortune to get my license back anyway.

havent you got your licence back yet

[motorwise]

Good point Ibanez (no pun intended) about the amount of points, particularly when they are the result of a fixed penalty i.e no chance to explain yourself to anyone.

you always have the option to refuse a fixed penalty and go to court, then you can give your excuses to the beak - everyone has that right - whether it's advisable to take it though is another matter

[MarkM]

I think many of the older drivers on here, myself included, would have been in the same boat as you had there been as many cameras when we were 17.

I agree, A friend asked me the other day how many speed cameras I thought were in Essex, I was well out as it is 99 (speed not traffic cameras) But here is the real kicker, 19 are in Southend alone, 25% of the entire county in one place!
I had guessed at about 200 but then I had based that guess on how many I knew were in Southend so figured it would be the same ratio over the entire county.
The arguement about accident blackspots creating a need for cameras is laughable, I have seen a few accidents sure but given how many cameras I should be seeing one a week.

[Terry]

I did a collection in Long Eaton near Nottingham on Thursday and on the B road through Sawley there were 3 cameras in the space of 100/150 yards ! Seen 2 close together but 3 !
I'm older than most on here and if cameras had been about when I were a lad, they would hung me by now

[Altransit]

Good point Ibanez (no pun intended) about the amount of points, particularly when they are the result of a fixed penalty i.e no chance to explain yourself to anyone.

you always have the option to refuse a fixed penalty and go to court, then you can give your excuses to the beak - everyone has that right - whether it's advisable to take it though is another matter

What I meant was that I was stopped for speeding a couple of times in my youth, and managed both times, to talk my way out with the PC on the spot.
There is no excuse for speeding that you could expect a judge to sympathise with, but traffic officers could be more realistic with the right attitude from the driver

[motorwise]

Good point Ibanez (no pun intended) about the amount of points, particularly when they are the result of a fixed penalty i.e no chance to explain yourself to anyone.

you always have the option to refuse a fixed penalty and go to court, then you can give your excuses to the beak - everyone has that right - whether it's advisable to take it though is another matter

What I meant was that I was stopped for speeding a couple of times in my youth, and managed both times, to talk my way out with the PC on the spot.
There is no excuse for speeding that you could expect a judge to sympathise with, but traffic officers could be more realistic with the right attitude from the driver

see what you mean - yes thats happened to me as well