Speed Awareness Courses
Just ten Police Forces offer alternative to fines
Autocar and the RAC are continuing with their drive to bring a more sensible approach to road safety in the UK. This week they've drawn to our attention how little education is used to reduce accidents on our roads.
It's a little known fact that in 2001 the Government launched new legislation in that allowed police forces to offer ‘speed awareness courses’ to drivers who were caught breaking speed limits. Two years on, only ten forces are running such courses: Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Humberside, Thames Valley, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Kent and Staffordshire.
Drivers who have committed a ‘marginal’ speeding offence are invited to pay for an optional one-day course instead of paying the fine and accepting the points.
The courses are run by using a mix of theory classes and lectures, and pioneering the way forward in Lancashire the course includes on road driving tuition. Neil Cunliffe who heads the Lancashire scheme said "We provide two hours of theory and hazard perception training using special DVD simulators, followed by three hours on the road with one instructor and two drivers. Cameras alone are not the answer to speeding; they are just one tool in the box. We aim to change attitudes and behavior ".
Dr Michelle Meadows of Staffordshire University has analysed the scheme in Lancashire which has put 23,000 drivers through its course. Her findings reveal that motorists drive more slowly after attending a speed awareness course – between 2mph and 5mph depending upon the road. She said "These small changes in speed are enough to make the difference between a near miss and a crash or between an injury and a fatality ".
Autocar editor Steve Sutcliffe pitched in: "The majority of drivers on the roads today pass their driving test when they are 17 and receive no further training. A major bonus of an enlarged speed awareness programme would be a general improvement of driving standards throughout the country ".
Education is the key for banned drivers. So far I have been punished but feel its more of a punishment for being caught than commiting a crime. I know my attitude needs to change, and the course would have sown the seed for change, I did look into doing a course with DriveTech but its way too expensive after paying my fine
Her crime? 35mph in a 30 zone. Anything over 37mph and you did not get the chance to attend the course as (my words here) you were obviously a hardened speed freak, and pain rather than education is what you needed.
What a pile of poo.
nonegreen said:
I would like to go on one of these just to rip the piss out of the numptiy running it. They spout government stats manipulated by Begg the imbercile and his team of liars. Wonder how long it would take me to get kicked out.
Not long and you'd then get the fine and have to pay for the course.
Personally I'd do the course, shut up, and be pissing myself inside at the fact that I am getting off scot free.
I would then go back to driving as I see fit.
Personally I feel I owe it to myself and society around me to drive safely, carefully and without hurting me or anyone else. How I choose to do that is by driving sensibly and I have taken Advanced Driving training to help me do that.
And after all that at some times and in some places I, rather comprhensively, break the speed limit.
I probably always will...
andygo said:
My wife went on one earlier this year. It was a complete sham.
What a shame! They could do some real good by offering proper training.
There is one point in their favour though: Could you, if you tried, drive at 30mph without staring at the speedo the whole while?
I can choose to break the speed limit - I can also maintain progress within the limit if I choose - without it being a ballache...because I regularly practice it. Its worth being able to do that as a skill IMO...as a ticket saving device...
Same as another useful skill - always knowing what the limit is...and a guaranteed ticket saver is to always enter and exit lower speed limits...at the speed limit..because 99 times out of a hundred it is at or near these changes that you will be caught...
Don said:
I would like to go on one of these just to rip the piss out of the numptiy running it. They spout government stats manipulated by Begg the imbercile and his team of liars. Wonder how long it would take me to get kicked out.
Not long and you'd then get the fine and have to pay for the course.
Personally I'd do the course, shut up, and be pissing myself inside at the fact that I am getting off scot free.
..
Ah well each to their own. I have heard the shut up and inwardly laugh sketch before, however I am always at a loss to see the point. If only you know you are laughing how does that address anything?
In my opinion and experience whenever confronted with unfairness, lies and biggoted biase as we are now, by this crazy anti car culture developed mostly by people who were elected by no-one. The solution lies in attacking it at every opportunity and clearly being asked to attend a course where a trainer stands up and spout lies about speed is an ideal opportunity for such an attack. In reality it is likely that the culprit would be kicked out, however I would like to lay good odds that if it were me I would recieve no futher communication
The speed awareness course is a load of tosh as it doesn't tell you a thing about how to get rid of speed quickly and safely.
It's another jobsworth social worker sop to reality.
Dr Michelle Meadows of Staffordshire University has analysed the scheme in Lancashire which has put 23,000 drivers through its course. Her findings reveal that motorists drive more slowly after attending a speed awareness course – between 2mph and 5mph depending upon the road. She said "These small changes in speed are enough to make the difference between a near miss and a crash or between an injury and a fatality ".
How on earth does this woman know that drivers drive more slowly after one of her courses?
Are their vehicles tagged and watched by satellite?
And a near miss can occur if a driver has passed a point where a dog ran in the road because he was driving a little bit faster. He misses the dog in front rather than behind. Result? No accident.
>> Edited by Tafia on Tuesday 16th December 14:08
>> Edited by Tafia on Tuesday 16th December 14:09
The civil avaiation industry found this out about 30 years ago hence why now most planes like the Airbus Series are fitted with auto pilot software linked into GPS which means all the guys in the cockpit have to do is enter the flight plan buckle up and relax.
PLUS - I totally agree with some comments above, in that it should be for ALL speeding offences - as hardened speed freaks would benefit more than anyone.
At last - are the police finally trying to EDUCATE rather than just PUNISH? That has to be applauded...
That's my two penneth anyway...
Joel
joelk said:
Anything that stops us being CRIMINALISED, banning us from driving by building up points onto our license for petty offences (such as 6 mph over the recommened speed limits) - has GOT to be a good thing. Given the chance, I'd definately attend a course.
PLUS - I totally agree with some comments above, in that it should be for ALL speeding offences - as hardened speed freaks would benefit more than anyone.
At last - are the police finally trying to EDUCATE rather than just PUNISH? That has to be applauded...
That's my two penneth anyway...
Joel
You miss the point im afraid.
Who pays for the "course"? Yup You do!
How much is the fine? How much is the course? Yup approaching 3 times the fine cost.
You just got scammed and were made to feel better about it.
You still got scammed though.
Don said:In my Nova, which I drive daily, I can judge the speed of my car fairly well without looking at the speedo. When I get in the Saab - which I drive about once a week - I do need to look at the speedo a bit more often as the engine is quieter and the ride smoother giving the illusion of travelling slower than you actually are. I have never had an accident because I was looking at my speedo and not at the road. I have never been done for speeding in 27 years of driving.
There is one point in their favour though: Could you, if you tried, drive at 30mph without staring at the speedo the whole while?
joelk said:I cannot take these courses seriously whilst ever they persist in telling us that Speed Cameras are intended to improve safety rather than raise revenue. We know that is a lie and so should not be even mentioned on the course. It simply makes a mockery of the whole thing! Rich...
the police finally trying to EDUCATE rather than just PUNISH?
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