Points taken

I was caught by a speed camera doing 36 mph on the A614 somewhere near Howden. This was on an unfamiliar road in light traffic on a quiet Sunday morning, and I was completely unaware at the time. As I was only 1mph over the threshold for prosecution I was offered a Speed Seminar in the Humberside area. Having had a clean licence and accident-free record for nearly sixty years I was keen to avoid points on my licence. I asked to attend one of the courses held locally at four possible locations by Hampshire Constabulary. In reply I received the following in a letter dated 28 Apr from Humberside Police - "I must advise you that it is not possible to refer you to an alternative Speed Seminar in your area. Anyone choosing to accept the offer of a course must attend one of the venues within the Police area". It is unrealistic to make a round journey of some 400 miles just to attend a four-hour course, and I have had to agree to a fixed penalty. The Road Traffic Acts are national and the speed limits are national, but I feel that I am being discriminated against for living so far from the alleged offence. It also confirms in my view that the Speed Seminar has nothing to do with road safety and is simply a cynical revenue raising exercise. I realise there is nothing I can do about my penalty points. However I would like to publicise this absurd ruling and also seek your advice as to whom I can approach to lobby for a change.

Asked on 20 June 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
Strangely, feedback from readers tells me this is very inconsistently
applied. In some areas you can only take the course in that area. Others have arrangements that allow you to taker them in alternative areas closer to where you live. I suppose in your case the real motive is to make a return out of you either by a fine or from the proceeds of the course. Chief constables probably get knighthoods for this sort of thing.
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