Discussion
Driver Improvement Scheme...
For those who aren't aware, the above is a scheme for motorist who have either been stopped for commiting an moving motoring offence; ie Driving without Due Car and Attention, or those who have been involved in an accident and are blameworthy.
As an alternative to prosecution, a Driver Improvement Scheme (DIS) may be offered, at the offender's own expense. The scheme was initiated in Devon and Cornwall, and has since been adopted by over 30 police forces in England and Wales. A pilot scheme in Scotland is being evaluated.
If they choose not to do it, then the evidence will be re-examined, and in most cases, the offender will be prosecuted. The DIS is seen as a way of keeping people out of court, and improving their driving on roads. It is only offered for Careless Driving cases where there is no serious injury, and only slight inattention.
The course typically costs £100 to £125 and lasts 1.5 days. There is a discussion on attitudes to driving, and the drivers go out with a trained advanced driver. During the courses, the attitude of the drivers is assessed. If they do not co-operate with the classes, it is reported back to the police.
In some areas the older driver, in particular, was offered the DIS where there appeared to be several errors of judgement. If they would not take it, they would be asked to surrender their licence. There was a feeling amongst some police officers that this, or similar schemes, could be used more where the abilities of the driver were in doubt.
There was some suggestion that such schemes could be used more extensively, in addition to other penalties, for more serious offences where a prosecution was desirable. At present this is not an option for the courts.
Street
For those who aren't aware, the above is a scheme for motorist who have either been stopped for commiting an moving motoring offence; ie Driving without Due Car and Attention, or those who have been involved in an accident and are blameworthy.
As an alternative to prosecution, a Driver Improvement Scheme (DIS) may be offered, at the offender's own expense. The scheme was initiated in Devon and Cornwall, and has since been adopted by over 30 police forces in England and Wales. A pilot scheme in Scotland is being evaluated.
If they choose not to do it, then the evidence will be re-examined, and in most cases, the offender will be prosecuted. The DIS is seen as a way of keeping people out of court, and improving their driving on roads. It is only offered for Careless Driving cases where there is no serious injury, and only slight inattention.
The course typically costs £100 to £125 and lasts 1.5 days. There is a discussion on attitudes to driving, and the drivers go out with a trained advanced driver. During the courses, the attitude of the drivers is assessed. If they do not co-operate with the classes, it is reported back to the police.
In some areas the older driver, in particular, was offered the DIS where there appeared to be several errors of judgement. If they would not take it, they would be asked to surrender their licence. There was a feeling amongst some police officers that this, or similar schemes, could be used more where the abilities of the driver were in doubt.
There was some suggestion that such schemes could be used more extensively, in addition to other penalties, for more serious offences where a prosecution was desirable. At present this is not an option for the courts.
Street
If I got offered this I'd take it like a shot...£125 and your licence remains clean! Bargain...
But I suppose I should shut up about the IAM/Rospa Gold and so on...
But its unlikely as if I am caught it will certainly for doing some astronomic velocity where its absolutely 100 percent safe to do it...
But I suppose I should shut up about the IAM/Rospa Gold and so on...
But its unlikely as if I am caught it will certainly for doing some astronomic velocity where its absolutely 100 percent safe to do it...
The majority of the money goes to the administration of the scheme and the civilian instructors.
The scheme is up and running and is offered often to people in my force area.
If I attend an minor, medium scale RTC where one person is to blame; depending on the circumstances I often recommend DIS to the file preparation department, as it's the officer-in-charge of the investigation (ie: me) who's decision it is.
If it means that the person learns from the course and it prevents future accidents of that nature..
Street
The scheme is up and running and is offered often to people in my force area.
If I attend an minor, medium scale RTC where one person is to blame; depending on the circumstances I often recommend DIS to the file preparation department, as it's the officer-in-charge of the investigation (ie: me) who's decision it is.
If it means that the person learns from the course and it prevents future accidents of that nature..
Street
100% support for this type of scheme which actually tries to improve the situation. Is it not ironic that this is only deemed appropriate for minor offences, where the driver may have simply misjudged the situation but for more serious offences, where the driver’s standard of driving may be seriously impaired he will be banned. Which means his standard of drive will fall further as he is not getting any practice and at the end of the ban he can just get back in a car and drive. Some how this sums up the standards of logic used in current motoring policy.
deltaf said:
I think its a good idea because it may actually improve someone's driving skills.
Absolutely...I would much prefer someone improve their driving skills and accident awareness, than to aquire points with no remedial training, then be involved in another similar accident with someone I know.
Street
Don said:
If I got offered this I'd take it like a shot...£125 and your licence remains clean! Bargain...
But I suppose I should shut up about the IAM/Rospa Gold and so on...
But its unlikely as if I am caught it will certainly for doing some astronomic velocity where its absolutely 100 percent safe to do it...
That's the spirit.
Oh and thanks for your comments about the iCN630 Don, but I see somebody has given it a very bad press in another topic. I'm mostly finding ours very helpful.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
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