Scotland to get speed awareness courses?

[Martin_M]

I don't think this is a repost...famous last words...but I heard on the radio earlier that Scotland's transport minister is considering the introduction of speed awareness courses as opposed to penalty points for those caught only slightly over the speed limit.

What do people think of these courses? Do they simply encourage people to speed, in the hope that they get one of these courses or are they regarded as a genuinely useful strategy to reduce speeding?

[Mk3Spitfire]

I don't think it encourages speeding. Most people haven't a clue what the brackets are for the SAC.
A lot of people find the courses patronising, but equally lots would much rather save themselves the points and take a bit of patronising. On the other hand I have seen people scoff the offer of the course and have taken the points instead.
I'm in favour of them. For minor speeding infringements, it's a bit of relief. You only get one go so it's not as if it's something you can continually rely on.

[Nigel Worc's]

Mk3Spitfire said:

I don't think it encourages speeding. Most people haven't a clue what the brackets are for the SAC.
A lot of people find the courses patronising, but equally lots would much rather save themselves the points and take a bit of patronising. On the other hand I have seen people scoff the offer of the course and have taken the points instead.
I'm in favour of them. For minor speeding infringements, it's a bit of relief. You only get one go so it's not as if it's something you can continually rely on.

You can you know, I know a chap that has done 3, 2 within the last 12 months !

[agtlaw]

Mk3Spitfire said:

You only get one go so it's not as if it's something you can continually rely on.

Are you sure?

[Mk3Spitfire]

agtlaw said:

Are you sure?

I'm sure you'll correct me in your ever diplomatic way.
It's only one around here, as far as I know. Well, one every three years anyway. I realise I should have been more specific.

[Mk3Spitfire]

Nigel Worc's said:

You can you know, I know a chap that has done 3, 2 within the last 12 months !

Really? Certainly can't do that around here. Although I generally stay away from traffic.
2 in 12 months seems to be a little counter productive.

[Nigel Worc's]

Mk3Spitfire said:

Nigel Worc's said:

You can you know, I know a chap that has done 3, 2 within the last 12 months !

Really? Certainly can't do that around here. Although I generally stay away from traffic.
2 in 12 months seems to be a little counter productive.

I don't think you're supposed to do it where he is either, they offered, he accepted lol.

[Mk3Spitfire]

Nigel Worc's said:

I don't think you're supposed to do it where he is either, they offered, he accepted lol.

Can't blame him then!

[aw51 121565]

Nigel Worc's said:

Mk3Spitfire said:

I don't think it encourages speeding. Most people haven't a clue what the brackets are for the SAC.
A lot of people find the courses patronising, but equally lots would much rather save themselves the points and take a bit of patronising. On the other hand I have seen people scoff the offer of the course and have taken the points instead.
I'm in favour of them. For minor speeding infringements, it's a bit of relief. You only get one go so it's not as if it's something you can continually rely on.

You can you know, I know a chap that has done 3, 2 within the last 12 months !

One of the last two (if not two out of three - were they all within a three year period?) were for speeding in force areas not in the "national scheme" (which the vast majority are, info swapped between them precludes a second bite of the SAC cherry in any three year period for most cases ) then?

[Nigel Worc's]

aw51 121565 said:

Nigel Worc's said:

Mk3Spitfire said:

I don't think it encourages speeding. Most people haven't a clue what the brackets are for the SAC.
A lot of people find the courses patronising, but equally lots would much rather save themselves the points and take a bit of patronising. On the other hand I have seen people scoff the offer of the course and have taken the points instead.
I'm in favour of them. For minor speeding infringements, it's a bit of relief. You only get one go so it's not as if it's something you can continually rely on.

You can you know, I know a chap that has done 3, 2 within the last 12 months !

One of the last two (if not two out of three - were they all within a three year period?) were for speeding in force areas not in the "national scheme" (which the vast majority are, info swapped between them precludes a second bite of the SAC cherry in any three year period for most cases ) then?

I've no idea, I didn't quiz him on the ins and outs, I just thought it was funny.

[Drawweight]

Great if they are, i'll willingly pay a few quid to escape 3 points (clean license at present)

And sitting listening to a patronising lecture doesn't bother me at all..I'm married.

[btcc123]

The speed awareness course is one of several coursed offered regarding motoring offences.You can only attend one speed awareness course in a 3 year period so perhaps the guy who attended more went on different courses.

I attended one and to be quite honest found it helpful and interesting particularly as a lot of the course was based on the advanced driving test and was good to get a refresh on different speed limits,road signs etc as I passed my test 38 years ago and have not looked at a highway code since.

This option is a lot better than points that effect you for 3 years and the £100 fine,At least The speed awareness course is a bit cheaper at £85,can attend it in your home town and out of the £85 cost approximately £25 goes towards the local council for things like providing school children florencent vest when cycling to school,cycling lessons on the play ground etc.

So in my opinion the speed awareness course is good.