Speeding Ticket Anxiety

[CoraHarrison]

It took me an embarrassing number of times to pass my driving test, since then I have been nervous when passing speed cameras, I think it's due to the fact it took me so many times to pass my test with a mix of something else. Since then I drive my partner mad over speed cameras when I go through one I instantly panic that I could have been caught, I try go on local trips which avoid them.

Anyway, yesterday I was coming out of a street I am not so familiar with, I changed gear and looked up and there in front of me was a speed camera. It was a truvlo (I do my fair share of research too) that don't flash. It was 10 metres, 15 at the most from the street I just came out of, I am worried I could have been going anything between 28 - 32. What makes me worry more is that I will have just been accelerating instead of 'rolling through' it so to speak...

What do you think my likelyhood of being done is?
I'm not one to go over the speed limit, especially near a camera I'm one of those you will see going through a camera at 20mph in a 30 just to be sure as it saves me two weeks of absolute hell.

[factor-fiction]

I've been driving for over 30 years and have worried a few times about having been 'flashed' for speeding/ going through lights at the last second, but I've never had a ticket, so I think there's a good chance you'll be okay if it was a 30mph limit

[Old_Geezer]

IMO close to zero. You should see a flash if a picture was taken (although I'm unfamiliar with the various types of camera), and in any case it would be unreasonable to try to catch 2 mph over the top. In any case you can't change the past so assume the best and relax. And try to go through at near 30 rather than 20.

[woofgang]

When I started driving, I was so nervous and careful that my DH would have put the flags out if I had gone fast enough to get a speeding ticket! I am not advocating speeding but its not the end of the world to get a ticket even though it hits your pocket!!

[CoraHarrison]

Yes, I'm one of those who frustrates all your normal drivers lol. Luckily only got about 7 months left of my first 2 years... It's much better lately than it used to be, it used to be a daily occurrence as I had to drive through 20 speed cameras plus to and from university.

[jd_1984]

If you are sure that you didnt exceed 32mph you should be below the threshold where by a fine is mandatory. Good luck.
Worry about it when/if it happens, you may not hear anything!

[CoraHarrison]

32 is likely the max and very unlikely just wanted to say it to cover myself. It all seemed to happen so far. I set off from standing turned left, changed gear, looked up and there was a speed camera. Within sort of 2 or 3 car lengths, think my insercater may have not even clicked off by this point.

[Gavmacp]

If it causes you that much anxiety why don't you get a satnav they tell you where speed camera areas are. Especially good driving in areas that are unfamiliar.

[belrec]

Or perhaps just stick to the speed limit? Dont worry about who is behind you.

[EcclesCake]

To have got to ~30mph in 10-15m you would have had to be really going some. I would say it is highly unlikely that you would have been speeding.

[joko]

there is some leeway before they flash - in order to stop people spending too much time looking at their speedometer, desperately trying not to go over.

as someone said, this anxiety is over the top - even if you are done for just a few points over - its a fine and 3 points ... assuming its a very rare thing, its not the end of the world.

id worry more about your panicking and anxiety meaning you are less alert on the road and risk an accident....

[Simon_Winns]

Hi Cora,

As Joko said:

"I'd worry more about your panicking and anxiety meaning you are less alert on the road and risk an accident...."

It certainly sounds like you're a responsible driver and that this type of incident is particularly rare for you. I would try and find a way to overcome the anxiety you experience whilst driving. The anxiety appears to manifest at the most inconvenient of times and may hinder your response time or better driving judgement.

The last thing you want to do is get into an accident. Particularly one in which you are at fault. If someone were to make a road accident claim against you through an accident management specialist, it would affect YOUR policy and no claims bonus - not theirs.

Hope this helps.