Points Mean Pounds

One sunny Sunday back in October 2006, I enjoyed a nice drive along empty dual carriageways running parallel to, but a few miles away from, the very congested M6. My journey was over much more quickly than usual and I arrived home relaxed and and cheerful instead of stressed, tired and irritable. I'm not sure, but I think I probably then had a glass of wine or two to round off the day.

A few days later, the postman delivered my NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution for those of you that are fortunate enough not to know). That's right, the nice quiet dual carriageway out in the countryside had a 50 mph speed limit and I'd been doing 57; silly me - oh well, 3 points on my licence and a £60 fine.

A few more days later and believe it or not, another NIP flops onto my doormat. Same day, same journey, different dual carriageway. Speed limit 40 this time and I'm doing 51. Another £60 and another 3 points on my licence. After all those years of driving without an accident or a speeding ticket, I'd been careless enough a) not to notice the drop in speed limit and b) not to spot the camera vans waiting to collect the fines and points from myself and countless other motorists.

That's what prompted me to invest in my Road Angel. Not only does it give me an audible warning of where fixed and mobile cameras are sited, it also tells me the speed limit so I know immediately if I need to slow down.

It's not just points on your licence and the fines that cost you. Points can mean pounds on your insurance. Make sure you shop around - see the car insurance posting.