Speed awareness course feedback
Discussion
Johnnytheboy said:
you realise just how boorish and downright thick a lot of people are.
Let's not forget that - by definition - 50% of folks have below average intelligence.At my SAC, I realised there are a lot of crap drivers out there.
I got done for 81 in a 70. I had my cruise control on 85 mph.
I now set my cruise control on 82 (actual 78) and have no problems
passing occasional coppers and many many speed cameras.
If 85 didn't work once and 82 works all the time, then I'll be getting to my destinations
slightly slower than I used to. Thank goodness for Radio 4 to pass the time.
As we know, being forced to drive slowly is the same as driving carefully, officer.
Of course, £100 fine multiplied by a couple of million speeding tickets
per year is a good business for quite a few folks. Sharon and Tracy,
the two mature ladies who ran my SAC, are hardly likely to disagree
with Government enforcement which keeps them in paid work.
Lazadude said:
The only thing the SAC showed me was that the public really don't know anything about the rules of the road, signs or even basic physics...
Yeah, that.I have been on a SAC & no, my driving didn't change as a result.
I think enough time has elapsed that if I were unfortunate enough to be caught speeding I would be offered another course now, but I think i'll save my time, decline it & take the points.
Lazadude said:
The only thing the SAC showed me was that the public really don't know anything about the rules of the road, signs or even basic physics...
This!I was done by an average camera through some road works leaving work late. I was on autopilot and hadn’t spotted that the 40 zone had been extended. Not great to admit, but I’d was a silly momentary lack for concentration. It was on the A453 out of Nottingham whilst widening it.
It was literally the worst three hours of my life. I was treated like a monster because I was literally just in the limit for the course...despite the road I was caught on was not near houses etc. There was the obligatory know it all who argued the toss with the guys from AA. It as amazing though how many people didn’t know the speed limits.
I don’t think it’s changed my attitude. I slowed down on motorways a long time ago (stick cruise on at an indicted 75). The places I’m most likely to exceed the limits are B road, national speed limits because they’re usually fun!
Edited by Court_S on Thursday 12th September 09:21
dcb said:
Let's not forget that - by definition - 50% of folks have below average intelligence.
If you think that, you're one of them. That's not how average works. If you have 10 people, one with an IQ of 150, and 9 with an IQ or 100, then 90% of them have below average intelligence. Ed/L152 said:
Whilst I've never been on a SAC, the most interesting fact seems to be that a fairly trivial increase in speed (30 -> 35, say) results in a disproportionate increase in kinetic energy of the vehicle, and a disproportionate increase in impact speed if an accident occurs.
Both make sense mathematically, but aren't immediately intuitive.
Yup. If you're doing 30mph, hit the brakes hard at point A, and come to a halt at point B, had you been doing 35 at point A, you'd still be doing a fraction over 18mph at point B.Both make sense mathematically, but aren't immediately intuitive.
Quite shocking really.
I went one a few years back, where you still actually had to go out with an 'advanced' driving instructor.
As we got into his Pug 308 and he warned me "watch out for the torque, it's a turbo diesel," I knew I was in for a long day.
As an example of how far removed it was from reality, he genuinely we should be doing 20mph in 2nd, 30mph in 3rd, 40mph in 4th, and so on. I often think of that little gem of advice when I knock the car into neutral going down a big hill on the way to work.
As we got into his Pug 308 and he warned me "watch out for the torque, it's a turbo diesel," I knew I was in for a long day.
As an example of how far removed it was from reality, he genuinely we should be doing 20mph in 2nd, 30mph in 3rd, 40mph in 4th, and so on. I often think of that little gem of advice when I knock the car into neutral going down a big hill on the way to work.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
dcb said:
Let's not forget that - by definition - 50% of folks have below average intelligence.
If you think that, you're one of them. That's not how average works. If you have 10 people, one with an IQ of 150, and 9 with an IQ or 100, then 90% of them have below average intelligence. Lazadude said:
The only thing the SAC showed me was that the public really don't know anything about the rules of the road, signs or even basic physics...
Absolutely... although I was amazed at the lack of the knowledge about speed limits on various roads that a couple of HGV drivers had... The course leaders weren't best pleased when on my introduction I said I think I was on the wrong course...
After saying I needed really to be on a "Camera awareness course" as I knew what speed I was doing....but didn't know where the camera was...
Yes I've been on one and yes, it did changed my driving.....for about a week.
What was most eye opening is showing the significant differences in stopping distance between doing something like 80mph and 70mph on the motorway, especially in poor conditions.
The course wasn't patronising in any way and it was very much like a seminar, encouraging group activities and discussion. I have to say, it's was really good and had a much more positive influence on me than 3 points would have.
For better or worse I found my old habits came back after a short amount of time.
15 years of driving and there's one thing that's had an enormous impact on my driving and that's my recent acquirement of a car with a heads up display. The car being more of a cruiser could also be playing a part but the fact that I've always got my speed in my eyeline, it's like a constant reminder if I'm doing naughty speeds and I think what I learned from the SAC kicks in.
On average before this I'd say I usually hit motorways/DC's around 90 mph, now it's much more like 70-75. HUD has been a really positive influence on me. I've always been a sceptic of them until I got one myself.
What was most eye opening is showing the significant differences in stopping distance between doing something like 80mph and 70mph on the motorway, especially in poor conditions.
The course wasn't patronising in any way and it was very much like a seminar, encouraging group activities and discussion. I have to say, it's was really good and had a much more positive influence on me than 3 points would have.
For better or worse I found my old habits came back after a short amount of time.
15 years of driving and there's one thing that's had an enormous impact on my driving and that's my recent acquirement of a car with a heads up display. The car being more of a cruiser could also be playing a part but the fact that I've always got my speed in my eyeline, it's like a constant reminder if I'm doing naughty speeds and I think what I learned from the SAC kicks in.
On average before this I'd say I usually hit motorways/DC's around 90 mph, now it's much more like 70-75. HUD has been a really positive influence on me. I've always been a sceptic of them until I got one myself.
I did a SAC back in April
35 in a 30. (I thought it was a 40 but there we go)
I found a couple of things frustrating at the course.
One question was "Why do people speed"
My answer was "Because its fun"
People gasped and looked at me like i was the anti-christ.
I then pointed out that we all love programs like Top Gear , Sports cars and supercars sell very well here. And one of the biggest events in the country is called the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
I mentioned that it would be naive to think that people don't enjoy going fast.
Everyone else in the room scowled at me , but the instructor agreed with me
It was funny because everyone assumed my speeding would be the worst in the room , when they found out i was caught at 35 they all realised they were actually caught going faster than me.
One thing i did take away from the course was the complete lack of Highway code knowledge some of the people had.
Its actually quite worrying knowing that these people share the road with you.....
There was also the entertaining moment when someone showed they had been done doing 32 in a 30
The instructor said you "shouldn't have been done for that."
Wasn't much help to the guy sadly!
35 in a 30. (I thought it was a 40 but there we go)
I found a couple of things frustrating at the course.
One question was "Why do people speed"
My answer was "Because its fun"
People gasped and looked at me like i was the anti-christ.
I then pointed out that we all love programs like Top Gear , Sports cars and supercars sell very well here. And one of the biggest events in the country is called the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
I mentioned that it would be naive to think that people don't enjoy going fast.
Everyone else in the room scowled at me , but the instructor agreed with me
It was funny because everyone assumed my speeding would be the worst in the room , when they found out i was caught at 35 they all realised they were actually caught going faster than me.
One thing i did take away from the course was the complete lack of Highway code knowledge some of the people had.
Its actually quite worrying knowing that these people share the road with you.....
There was also the entertaining moment when someone showed they had been done doing 32 in a 30
The instructor said you "shouldn't have been done for that."
Wasn't much help to the guy sadly!
Edited by FIREBIRDC9 on Thursday 12th September 10:53
Done for 35 in a 30 a few years ago. AA guys did a great job over 4 hours in my view with a hostile crowd and was good to avoid points. However issuing NIPs for 35 in a 30 is absolutely outrageous in itself and an overly hysterical response which just sums up the mass insanity these days where any minor speeding infraction is considered to be worse than murder. Onus needs to be on the pedestrian or other road users (whatever happened to the 'green cross code'?) rather than continually harassing the motorist as a cash cow easy target.
Nothing against driver education though, based on my compatriots in the class it is also sorely needed but maybe make it a refresher every ten years or so for all licence holders rather than dressing it up as anti speeding enforcement b
ks. The people most in need of an education are far more likely those who are not allowed on a course.
Nothing against driver education though, based on my compatriots in the class it is also sorely needed but maybe make it a refresher every ten years or so for all licence holders rather than dressing it up as anti speeding enforcement b
ks. The people most in need of an education are far more likely those who are not allowed on a course.
Ed/L152 said:
Whilst I've never been on a SAC, the most interesting fact seems to be that a fairly trivial increase in speed (30 -> 35, say) results in a disproportionate increase in kinetic energy of the vehicle, and a disproportionate increase in impact speed if an accident occurs.
Both make sense mathematically, but aren't immediately intuitive.
The video showed an increase of 1mph became an extra 8mph at the same stopping point which seems a bit bsBoth make sense mathematically, but aren't immediately intuitive.
Seesure said:
Absolutely... although I was amazed at the lack of the knowledge about speed limits on various roads that a couple of HGV drivers had...
My daughter did one (36 in a 30) and a guy who's job was 'van driver' genuinely seemed to not know vans had different limits to cars.One thing she said, which I've heard a lot but hasn't been mentioned in this thread, is that most of the people on the course were old - in their 60's to early 70's.
I've done 2 and both times they have been useful. I have calmed down since my 2nd one. I got caught at 79 in a 70, but I was doing quite a lot more than that just as I spotted the van. 75mph is now my go to on motorways.
My take away from them is that most people getting caught have no idea what the limit is and think a NSL sign means no limit
If anything the course teaches you how to speed better, you can read the roads and also have an indication of if there's a camera around.
My take away from them is that most people getting caught have no idea what the limit is and think a NSL sign means no limit
If anything the course teaches you how to speed better, you can read the roads and also have an indication of if there's a camera around.
Edited by AmosMoses on Thursday 12th September 11:28
Sheepshanks said:
My daughter did one (36 in a 30) and a guy who's job was 'van driver' genuinely seemed to not know vans had different limits to cars.
On mine there was a 7.5 tonne lorry driver who seemed unaware of the lower limit and a caravan driver ditto. Sheepshanks said:
One thing she said, which I've heard a lot but hasn't been mentioned in this thread, is that most of the people on the course were old - in their 60's to early 70's.
There is a known statistical disparity between the age of people that get done for speeding and the people who are involved in speed-related incidents. Perhaps enforcement should be targeted?
Ditto you are much likelier to have a serious accident in the night, yet most enforcement is during the day.
George Smiley said:
The video showed an increase of 1mph became an extra 8mph at the same stopping point which seems a bit bs
We had this discussion on here a while ago, another PH'er must have been on the same course. I thought they said that the difference was 5mph, but may depend on the speeds from which you started. but it isn't BS, if you think about it. The rate of stopping will have an effect as well, but the same vehicle with the same weight and brakes etc, if it starts braking at the same point, will take a greater distance to reach a complete stop if it starts with a higher speed. And from that you can work out the actual speed difference at any given point, and the point at which the slower car has reached 0, the faster call will have some distance to travel.
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