Speed awareness course.
Discussion
Yeah, I did one for 36 in a 30 a few weeks ago.
The advice they gave was bad and although I tried to go in with an open mind I didn't get anything from it at all. What was shocking was the appalling level of knowledge from the others on the course.
My advice is get on there, speak when spoken to, keep your mouth shut otherwise, just get the box ticked and move on with life.
Edit - I commented here on my experience: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The advice they gave was bad and although I tried to go in with an open mind I didn't get anything from it at all. What was shocking was the appalling level of knowledge from the others on the course.
My advice is get on there, speak when spoken to, keep your mouth shut otherwise, just get the box ticked and move on with life.
Edit - I commented here on my experience: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by Funk on Wednesday 1st December 10:45
I did one last Friday. I actually found it quite interesting. As has been said some of the knowledge displayed was a little scary from others on the course but that’s to be expected.
The person taking the course, who was a driving instructor by trade, wasn’t condescening or over-bearing. She took the stance of “eveyone knows most people do it but only some get caught” and just went through ways to be more mindful of your speed and the environment you’re driving in. There was the video about how stopping distances go up at different speeds which was given in the context of actual examples rather than the highway code stopping distances.
After that and some fluffy stuff about how we had to form a plan to try not to speed again we were all passed and sent on our way. All in the course was about 2 and a half hours including a break and it ran to time.
Obviously your experience may differ but they’re not all bad! Unless there’s a course being run very close to your house they’re worth doing online vs in person for the time saving on travel alone.
The person taking the course, who was a driving instructor by trade, wasn’t condescening or over-bearing. She took the stance of “eveyone knows most people do it but only some get caught” and just went through ways to be more mindful of your speed and the environment you’re driving in. There was the video about how stopping distances go up at different speeds which was given in the context of actual examples rather than the highway code stopping distances.
After that and some fluffy stuff about how we had to form a plan to try not to speed again we were all passed and sent on our way. All in the course was about 2 and a half hours including a break and it ran to time.
Obviously your experience may differ but they’re not all bad! Unless there’s a course being run very close to your house they’re worth doing online vs in person for the time saving on travel alone.
Last one, 10 odd years ago, I did was in person, with a real smug git, the type whose face you’d never tire of punching
Was double flashed on the M20 last week, variable speed limit set at 50, quarter to midnight for no reason that I could see, was still doing about 60 from the previous gantry that was set at 60 - now awaiting the brown envelope offering to teach me to drive all over again
So online is better then?
Was double flashed on the M20 last week, variable speed limit set at 50, quarter to midnight for no reason that I could see, was still doing about 60 from the previous gantry that was set at 60 - now awaiting the brown envelope offering to teach me to drive all over again
So online is better then?
spookly said:
I'm hoping to be offered one in the coming days. Just returned a NIP requesting the course option.
Got me at 81mph on motorway, luckily I saw them.
No points on license, so I might as well keep it that way. Not expecting to get anything from the course, never done one before.
You WILL learn something from the course, that is for sure.Got me at 81mph on motorway, luckily I saw them.
No points on license, so I might as well keep it that way. Not expecting to get anything from the course, never done one before.
As I, and others have said, the most depressing thing that you will learn, is how ignorant of motoring many other participants are. That reinforces my belief in refresher tests; 2 or 3 years after the first driving test pass, then every 5 years. Oh, and every motorist should get an update through the post of the latest HC and other regulation changes.
loskie said:
if there is a speed limit displayed on a gantry and you are flashed APPROACHING that gantry (the first one with that speed) is it enforceable? My thinking being that the limit doesn't start UNTIL you've passed the sign/gantry yet you are flashed BEFORE it.
I can't quite picture that scenario. Where are there gantries that flash before rather than after?I have done several over the years.
Most are the same, slightly smug guys who know you dont want to be there but have to sit through it.
Most are ex coppers so have that way of talking to you.
You will learn stuff and come away being careful for a while, but what will stagger you is what you find out. I found out most people there got done by the same bloody camera on the same week, the level of unawareness of other drivers is staggering at times.
But quite honestly, you only have to drive anywhere for a half hour and that is no shock.
Also it is fun when you get a guy who really doesn't want to be there, that can be quite entertaining
Most are the same, slightly smug guys who know you dont want to be there but have to sit through it.
Most are ex coppers so have that way of talking to you.
You will learn stuff and come away being careful for a while, but what will stagger you is what you find out. I found out most people there got done by the same bloody camera on the same week, the level of unawareness of other drivers is staggering at times.
But quite honestly, you only have to drive anywhere for a half hour and that is no shock.
Also it is fun when you get a guy who really doesn't want to be there, that can be quite entertaining
spookly said:
I'm hoping to be offered one in the coming days. Just returned a NIP requesting the course option.
Got me at 81mph on motorway, luckily I saw them.
No points on license, so I might as well keep it that way. Not expecting to get anything from the course, never done one before.
WOW 81 On a motorway that was harsh, which Motorway so I can be aware?. Thanks.Got me at 81mph on motorway, luckily I saw them.
No points on license, so I might as well keep it that way. Not expecting to get anything from the course, never done one before.
cmvtec said:
I am expecting to be offered one soon - copper with a tripod on a D/C - 40mph, reckon I was doing an indicated 50.
From people I've spoken to, I'm told it's a case of grin and bear it.
Get a dash cam, I was accused of 95MPH on the A11 duel carriageway , my dash cam said 80 MPH and when plod was shown it , nothing after that.From people I've spoken to, I'm told it's a case of grin and bear it.
I have the ACE2 BMW front and rear now.
JMBMWM5 said:
WOW 81 On a motorway that was harsh, which Motorway so I can be aware?. Thanks.
I've got one - SAC next week - for 80 on a totally empty M62 near Goole. I mean not another vehicle in sight, sunny day. Van mostly obscured by a bush so I didn't see what it actually was until long after I'd been zapped.It was an eye-opener, as I was doing 80 precisely because I assumed (ha! what do they say about assuming?) that no way would you get booked for it. That's broken my 37 year long NIP free record - luckily just a SAC so still a clean licence. Needless to say I don't go over 70 at all now.
ETA: I'm doing the actual "real life", not online course. I am not risking the internet going down or other technical issues and then having to take the three points.
Edited by Dog Star on Thursday 2nd December 11:00
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