What's best? Points or ban?

[Lucozade]

If you had the option of accepting big points and big fine over a ban which would should you take?
In consideration of insurance premiums, etc.

[Deester]

Gimme points and fines any day. Ban = no driving!

[Lucozade]

yeah ok but was is the implication of both? ok so you can still drive but was is the situation with getting big points and a big fine does it affects things dramatically?

[sp60]

If you already have points, the ban may be better depending on how many points you have. If you have no points, I would say it would be better to get points as they will be gone after 3 years and will make you slow down in the meantime. You will more than likely get less of an insurance hike too as they appear to dislike bans much more than points. A ban will stay on your license for 5 years and will affect your premium a lot for that entire period. Also, you get a clean license back which is less likely encourage you to slow down.
I got banned two years ago. First offence and empty motorway at night(102mph). 21 day ban and £200 fine. 80% hike in insurance premium despite 4 years no claims at the time.
If I had got, say 9 points and a fine, I would have slowed down a lot, would be rid of the points next year and wouldn't expect the insurance to have gone up too much. As it is, I am stupid, and am currently waiting for the next court case at which point they will probably ban me for much longer