"Canberra News, Views and Opinion"
I have a provisional driver’s licence, and I am fairly certain I have been caught speeding going 80-83 km/h in a 60 zone by a speed van. I saw the van and slowed down, but it was night time (11pm on a Wednesday night) and I did not spot him until I was well in his view. I could easily see the guy sitting in the back of the van with his camera.
I have had my provisional licence for nearly 2 and a half years, and am due to get my full driver’s licence next June. I have never been caught speeding, or causing any traffic offence in my entire time on the roads and therefore have not accumulated any demerits.
As far as I know, a P plater has up to 4 demerit points, before they lose their licence for 3 months. It is crucial that I do not lose my licence as I work a half hours drive from where I live.
My questions are:
1. How far over the speed limit will cause me to lose my licence? (I haev been told it is 20km’s by some people to lose 4 demerits, and 30km’s by others)
2. Is it likely to win a dispute against the fine, my excuse being, I was desperate to make it to the bathroom with stomach pains. I do not speed, and always drive safely and by the road rules.
3. If I was to run off now and complete my P off course (which will double my demerits) will it be effective for a fine I received before completing the course?
4. What kind of fine are you looking at for 20km’s over?
If anyone has answers for me I will be stoked, I am freaking out about this and its on top of my mind at the moment!
Thanks ! 
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This will go well.
20kms over is max 3 points I believe. Up to 15 is 1 point? So you should be safe.
Get a GPS with a speed alert program that constantly beeps at you in real time when you exceed the limit in whatever street you’re on, and though not foolproof (roadworks aren’t updated for instance) it will not only keep your mind focussed on keeping within the limits but alert you when your concentration has strayed. Mine (A Navig8r G35) has already paid for itself when it alerted me to the change from 80 to 60 on Hindmarsh Drive approaching the town centre, that I hadn’t seen because the signs aren’t exactly obvious given there’s no change in road shape, width or design.
Relax.
If it didn’t flash you’ll be right.
Anyway, do the P-off course if it really bothers you, then don’t pay the speeding fine till after you’ve completed it, the points don’t come off till you’ve paid the fine.
I’m not sure about some of it, but I know that if you do a P-Off course it won’t help points wise- I knew someone who tried the same thing but they take the points of from when you got the fine, so she still lost her licence.
Exceeding the speed limit by 15 km/h but less than 30 km/h = 3 Demerits
Only 3 demerit points for 15-30km/h over the limit.You’ll be fine if you have no previous infringements.
http://www.rego.act.gov.au/infringements/infringedemerit.htm
Information from ACT gov FAQ
Due to traffic infringements, I have reached my demerit points allowance. If I do the P Off course before I pay the fine and receive a letter of suspension, will I get the increased 4 demerit points allowance (which is awarded upon completing the course) and be able to keep my licence? No, your licence conditions at the time of offence is noted and if your demerit points allowance at that time was 4 points, your licence will be suspended regardless of whether you attend the course or not. However, if you complete the course, your demerit points allowance will be increased to 8 points and the P plate can be removed from your vehicle when your suspension period is completed. The course can be undertaken during a suspension period as there are no practical driving components in the course.
For more information go to: http://www.roadready.act.gov.au
http://www.rego.act.gov.au/infringements/infringedemerit.htm – Exceeding the speed limit by 15 km/h but less than 30 km/h = 3 points.
You were speeding, you got caught, you pay & wear the penalty.
There is no excuse for speeding. You deserve whatever you get.
You could also download the smartphone app Trapster. It’s free and users can report where there are live traps and it alerts people in the same area of the trap. If you see or don’t see it then you can vote on it.
Hmmm, I’m guessing this post is some sort of wind up. Sorry, but I hope you’re not expecting much in the way of constructive answers!
15 – 30km/h = 3 points.
And no they won’t dismiss the fine if you dispute it in court with the excuse of having stomach pains.
Suck it up princess…
Madman said :
Yeah either that, or maybe just don’t speed. Those vans won’t ping you unless you are nearly on top of them.
Is it likely to win a dispute against the fine, my excuse being, I was desperate to make it to the bathroom with stomach pains. I do not speed, and always drive safely and by the road rules.
No excuse. Slow down. Take responsibility for your actions.
Having said that you’ll probably be okay and it’ll only cost you a few bucks and few points.
if you did not see a camera flash you are probably very lucky and not been done. Otherwise younger up for about $245.00 and 3 demerits. Road ready is a great idea but won’t help you in regards tonthe demerits this time around.
Laurat said :
Madman said :
Because speeding and then using a phone at the same time is a good idea?
Depressingly, everybody bar me in my P-off course was the same as you, they had no points left and needed to do the course to get more points… (I did it mainly because I didn’t want to display the plate anymore, it was a hassle when switching cars)
“I do not speed, and always drive safely and by the road rules.”
Except for when you’re speeding and not driving safely or by the road rules.
You broke the law champion, I hope you get caught. Why the freak were you going 83km/h in a 60km/h zone? To take a piss? Here’s a few thoughts: speed limits, particularly 60 zones are set according to road conditions. So you go 23km/h faster that would seem safe. You then lose control of your shitbox Excel and plow it into a telegraph pole. For the next 60 years of your life you can piss into a plastic bag and your family can feed you cold soup while you sit in a wheelchair, unable to move but fully able to think about how bad you needed that piss 60 years ago.
I have zero sympathy and you are the reason P platers get such a bad rap. Is your surname Gillespie by any chance?
/rant
Laurat said :
Solidarity said :
These days the camera’s use IR instead of flash, so drivers aren’t distracted by the bright light emanating from the white van…
dks00k said :
And you have never sped in your entire life? or broken a road rule? I doubt you haven’t.
Im happy to take the points and pay the fine, Im asking questions to figure out what sort of fine ill cop and whether its likely Ill lose my license.
Thanks to everyone who has given consturctive feeback, as you can see I have asked questions -I haven’t asked to be critiscised for speeding down a wide road at 11pm on wednesday night when there was no traffic and i needed a toilet DESPERATELY.
Its a relief to know I wont lose my licence as I have no other traffic offenses!
Perhaps you should have pulled over and used the speed camera van as a toilet or at least ask them where they go in an emergency.
Emma29 said :
Best. Defence. Ever.
However, next time you’re really busting—imagine it’s even worse than last time and you have to go even faster—the judge might want to see some errant exclamation marks to really highlight your desperation.
you know, they have heard every excuse in the book, and you are just another one of a zillion.
You saw a van but not the speed sign? If you were that desperate, you could’ve gone to any service station and dashed in. Or pulled up behind a clump of trees and did what you had to do.
I’m with the others – no sympathy and no excuses. Even if there was no other traffic and it was late at night. I bet you were still in a residential area….
Just copy everyone else with P’s and get your mum or uncle to take the points for you.
and as I read your thoughts on speeding and the system on the other current speeding thread… *rolls eyes…*
“but doing 15km over is no where near as big as that. So if the cops are giving you demerits but didn
‘t take my mates licence of him then the law is a joke. Also there is a 10% Leniancy… meaning you werent really exceeding the speed limit too dangerously if coppas are happy to let people travel at 109 on the hwy and not pull them over. Cops pick on P platers, when In reailty, why should the guy in the porche be any less of hazard than you, he might actually be a P Plater too and not be displaying his P’s. If an accident is going to happen its gonna happen, a P plater going the same speed as a full licenced driver (both speeding) there shuolnt be a difference as to who is pulled over”
Cops don’t pick on P platers. Cops try to grab the bad drivers to protect the rest of us.
And given your views that 15 kms over a speed limit is fine but your 20-25 kms over is not, any sympathy I might’ve had for you (none), is reinforced wholeheartedly.
One day when you’re old and wise, you might get that many P platers earn their own reputation. While they may be able to steer a car, it doesn’t mean they can actually drive, nor accept and be aware of the responsibilities that go with the privilege of driving on the roads.
Pretty sure you have a better chance of getting away with squating behind a bush without being seen, and defending it if you had too (look Mr Policeman, thats my pile of crap) than trying to use a lame arse excuss in a court of law, as I am sure they would. Surely you arent that precious that you couldnt stop for a squat?
Let me guess, you drive a hatchback.