Speed Awareness Courses

[Butts]

Butts has been collared for doing 60mph in a 50mph zone at 0405am just before x-mas in the works vehicle Nice suprise through the post.

I could complain that my driving represented no danger to anyone at that time of the morning in a rural non-residential area, however I suspect challenging it will be a waste of time.

As I speed (not excessively) every time I drive I will just have to grin and bear it :roll: "Pay your money you take your chance" springs to mind.

The methods of payment are positively archaic either cheque by post to a central repositry in Glasgow or paying in person at any Sheriff Court in cash or by Debit Card. No online facility !!!

We may have free Eye Tests, Hospital Parking and Dental Check Up's but no Speed Awareness Courses. Only in England and Wales. I'd rather pay £85 and sit through a course than pay £100 and be hit for 3 points.

So there are some areas England and Wales are more progressive in than Scotland

Has anyone ever been on one of these courses, whats the crack ?

 

[Altfish]

The speed awareness courses are pretty good. Not had the pleasure myself but know 3 people who have; all went reluctantly all came away having learned a lot.
BUT, you must take them seriously. One bloke spent the first 20-minutes moaning about not being guilty and it being a 'money making lark'; the instructor got sick of him, sent him home, no refund and 3-points added.

 

[Butts]

The speed awareness courses are pretty good. Not had the pleasure myself but know 3 people who have; all went reluctantly all came away having learned a lot.
BUT, you must take them seriously. One bloke spent the first 20-minutes moaning about not being guilty and it being a 'money making lark'; the instructor got sick of him, sent him home, no refund and 3-points added.

I only wish I had the chance - come on Scotland get with the times !!!

Are they £85 ?

 

[Johnuk123]

Have a go at the bloke in charge or the course itself and you'll be out the door double quick.
These courses are hostile to anybody who questions them, you're very much put in your place.

 

[Minilad]

Here's some speed awareness advice. Stick to the speed limit

 

[Butts]

Here's some speed awareness advice. Stick to the speed limit

Ho Ho - go forth and multiply

I'm sure you have never exceeded the speed limit - rushing to Villa Park ?

 

[Tetchytyke]

You should've said you didn't know who was driving. Worked for a bloke in a works car last month who deliberately ran a cyclist over and walked away with a £150 fine.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35472617

 

[Butts]

You should've said you didn't know who was driving. Worked for a bloke in a works car last month who deliberately ran a cyclist over and walked away with a £150 fine.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35472617

Unfortunately The Company "bubbled me" and didn't even bother to let me know they had done so.

 

[Geezertronic]

Ho Ho - go forth and multiply

I'm sure you have never exceeded the speed limit - rushing to Villa Park ?

Rushing away more like (sorry that banter is for another thread really)

 

[richw]

I went on a speed awareness course for 72 in a 60 - a dual carriageway where I failed to notice a reduced limit.
I must say it was boring and I took nothing away from it that I can think of. Mine was presented by a bloke with a mono tone voice, and consisted of pages of powerpoint with no pictures etc just with meaningless statistics and stopping distances - yep those that top gear tried out and couldn't get anywhere near close to taking the quoted distances to stop. They tested in the end the governments stopping distance for 70mph, to see how fast they needed to be doing to achieve that distance and it was well over 100, they used a bog standard hatch back for the test to ensure realistic results as well.
I understand the content varies from force to force though,
It would have had impact to me showing graphic images and having a presenter who wasn't dull.

 

[Puffing Devil]

You should've said you didn't know who was driving. Worked for a bloke in a works car last month who deliberately ran a cyclist over and walked away with a £150 fine.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35472617

Great if you'd prefer to run the risk of a perjury charge....

You'll see that the driver in this case landed themselves with a fine and 6 points. Not a great alternative to a SAC.

 

[Zoidberg]

In England, the Revenue Cameras are used to generate income for the "scam motorists partnerships"

If one accepts the fine the money goes to central government.

If one pays for the awareness course, the money is split between the course providers and local authority "scam motorists partnerships".

 

[ExRes]

In England, the Revenue Cameras are used to generate income for the "scam motorists partnerships"

If one accepts the fine the money goes to central government.

If one pays for the awareness course, the money is split between the course providers and local authority "scam motorists partnerships".

Perhaps one should stick to the speed limit relevant to the stretch of road one is driving on?

Personally, as at this last weekend, driving through a 50mph limit with cameras and signs clearly visible and being overtaken by vehicle after vehicle, I have no sympathy whatsoever for those that are caught and have to pay for their ignorance

Ignore the cameras and pay the price, stick to the speed limits and forget about your "scam motorist partnerships"

 

[Butts]

Perhaps one should stick to the speed limit relevant to the stretch of road one is driving on?

Personally, as at this last weekend, driving through a 50mph limit with cameras and signs clearly visible and being overtaken by vehicle after vehicle, I have no sympathy whatsoever for those that are caught and have to pay for their ignorance

Ignore the cameras and pay the price, stick to the speed limits and forget about your "scam motorist partnerships"

So if there had been no cameras would you have exceeded the speed limit ?

 

[LowLevel]

Don't speed and you won't have a problem

I got done by a policeman with a speed gun, bang to rights, and opted for the course. It was surprisingly interesting and presented by a pair of AA driving instructors who also allowed time for question and answer sessions about driving and the road regulations in general - a most useful recap we pretty much all agreed as none of us had done any 'training' or recap of any sort since we passed our tests. Well worth the afternoon.

Funnily enough I don't bother speeding any more having done some trials and found the time difference to be negligible.

 

[Butts]

I went on a speed awareness course for 72 in a 60 - a dual carriageway where I failed to notice a reduced limit.
I must say it was boring and I took nothing away from it that I can think of. Mine was presented by a bloke with a mono tone voice, and consisted of pages of powerpoint with no pictures etc just with meaningless statistics and stopping distances - yep those that top gear tried out and couldn't get anywhere near close to taking the quoted distances to stop. They tested in the end the governments stopping distance for 70mph, to see how fast they needed to be doing to achieve that distance and it was well over 100, they used a bog standard hatch back for the test to ensure realistic results as well.
I understand the content varies from force to force though,
It would have had impact to me showing graphic images and having a presenter who wasn't dull.

Remember The Jam......"bull**** is bull**** it just goes by different names"

I'd rather sit through a boring presentation and avoid the points - how much did you have to shell out for the privelige ?

 

[ExRes]

So if there had been no cameras would you have exceeded the speed limit ?

That has nothing to do with anything, I'm quite clearly talking about marked roads with speed limits and cameras

 

[richw]

Remember The Jam......"bull**** is bull**** it just goes by different names"

I'd rather sit through a boring presentation and avoid the points - how much did you have to shell out for the privelige ?

The course was £5 more than the fine/fixed penalty thing. However I'm sure the 3 points that accompanied the fine would have made more difference to my insurance. The Course is unrecorded so you go away after as if you were never caught for insurance purposes.

 

[Busaholic]

Living in a town, with a speed limit of 30 mph, reduced to 20 mph in a few places, I regularly see cars going at 50 or 60 mph, often in convoy, especially after about 10 p.m., but no-one is ever stopped, let alone fined. CCTV cameras cannot be used apparently to convict anyone because the precision is not there, even if one was being lenient in describing the mph travelled. On the other hand, CCTV may be used to prove somebody parked in a loading bay for six minutes, so justice and road safety nil, moneygrasping council one.

 

[AndrewE]

I had the option of going on a course in 3 or 4 nearby counties with very different charges. I chose the one that was cheaper than the potential fine (not to menton the points) and came away thinking that it had been very useful and a good deal into the bargain.
(I got caught on a dual carriageway where the limit had decreased from 40 to 30 at a set of lights and I hadn't spotted it.)
A

 

[jon0844]

For speed measurement you need a properly calibrated system that is regularly checked and certified. Seeing someone parked illegally even if just for a few seconds is easy.

While I do think many speed limits these days are rather poorly thought out, including the new idea of gradually reducing limits into a village (which then means doing the same out if a single carriageway, even though it's not really necessary to go from 30 to 40 to 50 to NSL out of town), and many dual carriageways once 70 now seem to be 50 with cameras, you have to accept the punishment if caught.

 

[Welshman]

I was caught going through Glan Conwy on the A470 at 36mph in a 30mph zone. It was a Sunday afternoon - the road was deserted, apart from the radar camera hidden in a parked van.

I had heard they allow you 10% + 2mph, so I was caught for 1mph, but I accept the line has to be drawn somewhere.

Presented with the option of £100 fine and 3 points on my licence, or a Speed Awareness Course costing £85, I opted for the latter.

About 20 of us attended the 4-hour course. The first part was led by a lecturer who treated us all like naughty children and patronised us. The second leader attempted to teach us some of the principles of defensive driving, which I found more helpful, although I was unsure what that had to do with a speeding course.

I now drive through Glan Conwy at exactly 30mph, being flashed and hooted at by lorry-drivers, bus drivers and cars travelling 1 foot from my rear bumper.

 

[richw]

I had heard they allow you 10% + 2mph, so I was caught for 1mph, but I accept the line has to be drawn somewhere.

Varies between forces who can set the tolerance how they want, with a minimum percentage I believe to be 10%.

The maximum speed achievable for an awareness course in the Cornwall area is limit plus 10% plus 6mph.

 

[Phil.]

In England, the Revenue Cameras are used to generate income for the "scam motorists partnerships"

If one accepts the fine the money goes to central government.

If one pays for the awareness course, the money is split between the course providers and local authority "scam motorists partnerships".

Yeah, it's scam. You can buy maps in WH Smith with camera sites marked, most sat-nav devices are pre-loaded with warning sites, "they" put notices on the side of the road, "they" paint the cameras fluorescent yellow.........
and still people whine when they get "caught" by a camera.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I was caught going through Glan Conwy on the A470 at 36mph in a 30mph zone. It was a Sunday afternoon - the road was deserted, apart from the radar camera hidden in a parked van.

I had heard they allow you 10% + 2mph, so I was caught for 1mph, but I accept the line has to be drawn somewhere.

Presented with the option of £100 fine and 3 points on my licence, or a Speed Awareness Course costing £85, I opted for the latter.

About 20 of us attended the 4-hour course. The first part was led by a lecturer who treated us all like naughty children and patronised us. The second leader attempted to teach us some of the principles of defensive driving, which I found more helpful, although I was unsure what that had to do with a speeding course.

I now drive through Glan Conwy at exactly 30mph, being flashed and hooted at by lorry-drivers, bus drivers and cars travelling 1 foot from my rear bumper.

If it's your vehicle's speedometer showing 30 mph you're actually travelling at 27-28 mph.

 

[bb21]

Ho Ho - go forth and multiply

I'm sure you have never exceeded the speed limit - rushing to Villa Park ?

Rushing out of Villa Park more like.

(Too late - just seen it. )

 

[fowler9]

I don't buy in to the whole tax on the motorist thing. My dad is 69 has never had a point on his license and has been driving for 50 years and he doesn't drive like he is on his first lesson. Some motorists (A large minority) drive like they know best, don't indicate, park wherever and drive as fast as they want, they need clamping down on. Saw a fella in an Audi A3 at the end of my road the other night, I saw and heard him shoot up through to fourth gear like it was some Need For Speed game down the narrow residential street facing ours. Utter idiot. I would have taken his license off him full stop.

 

[DarloRich]

Butts has been collared for doing 60mph in a 50mph zone at 0405am just before x-mas in the works vehicle Nice suprise through the post.

I could complain that my driving represented no danger to anyone at that time of the morning in a rural non-residential area, however I suspect challenging it will be a waste of time.

As I speed (not excessively) every time I drive I will just have to grin and bear it :roll: "Pay your money you take your chance" springs to mind.

The methods of payment are positively archaic either cheque by post to a central repositry in Glasgow or paying in person at any Sheriff Court in cash or by Debit Card. No online facility !!!

We may have free Eye Tests, Hospital Parking and Dental Check Up's but no Speed Awareness Courses. Only in England and Wales. I'd rather pay £85 and sit through a course than pay £100 and be hit for 3 points.

So there are some areas England and Wales are more progressive in than Scotland

Has anyone ever been on one of these courses, whats the crack ?

Do they not have them in Scotland? I am surprised by that. As drivers we all speed ( YES we do, stop lying!) and sometimes we get caught. Just suck it up.

I got done at Hubberts Bridge station doing 56 in a 50. Three points and a £60 fine. No chuntering. I was over the speed limit and didn't see the sign telling me of a change.
I was on the way back from seeing Darlo get beaten by Boston so earned more points than my team did that day!

 

[jon0844]

I was caught going through Glan Conwy on the A470 at 36mph in a 30mph zone. It was a Sunday afternoon - the road was deserted, apart from the radar camera hidden in a parked van.

I had heard they allow you 10% + 2mph, so I was caught for 1mph, but I accept the line has to be drawn somewhere.

Presented with the option of £100 fine and 3 points on my licence, or a Speed Awareness Course costing £85, I opted for the latter.

About 20 of us attended the 4-hour course. The first part was led by a lecturer who treated us all like naughty children and patronised us. The second leader attempted to teach us some of the principles of defensive driving, which I found more helpful, although I was unsure what that had to do with a speeding course.

I now drive through Glan Conwy at exactly 30mph, being flashed and hooted at by lorry-drivers, bus drivers and cars travelling 1 foot from my rear bumper.

Given your speedo will deliberately over read, being caught for 36 suggests your needle was going to pretty much on the 40. So, you actually got done for a lower speed anyway! Not that it's much consolation given the punishment would be the same.

Suffice to say that I generally drive in 30mph zones with the needle on around 32-33 because the silly thing is that everyone is driving too slow, unless in a police car with a properly calibrated speedo! In 20mph zones, it's painful (but obviously you won't get far telling people to go faster than their speedo says).

GPS gives a more accurate result, as it can measure the actual speed without having to be offset for different tyre/wheel sizes, tyre pressure etc.

I don't buy in to the whole tax on the motorist thing. My dad is 69 has never had a point on his license and has been driving for 50 years and he doesn't drive like he is on his first lesson. Some motorists (A large minority) drive like they know best, don't indicate, park wherever and drive as fast as they want, they need clamping down on. Saw a fella in an Audi A3 at the end of my road the other night, I saw and heard him shoot up through to fourth gear like it was some Need For Speed game down the narrow residential street facing ours. Utter idiot. I would have taken his license off him full stop.

The police did a speed campaign here just after Christmas and found, shock horror, that in a small village the majority of offenders were people who lived there. Who knew?! Local people being upset about speeding motorists, implying it was those who drove through, and the reality quite different - but totally predictable.

Complacency is often lethal. A high level of confidence because you know the area well, and take risks, means it's bound to be people from an area that drive like idiots.

Speeding in built up areas is a no-no, but I can't say I feel quite the same on a motorway, and do get upset when we see limits reduced unnecessarily.

Same with traffic lights that remain on a fixed phase at night, causing people to wait for no good reason (which then leads to the inevitable, people racing to make the lights or even just going through them).

 

[theblackwatch]

I went on one just over 3 years ago (doing 37 in a 30, I blame the forum member who took me that diverted route!). I actually found the course quite useful, it taught me a few things about driving and keeping safe - for example, if you're waiting to turn right, keep your wheels facing straight ahead until you set off, that way if you get hit from behind, you'll get shunted forwards, rather than pushed into the oncoming traffic. We had a good instructor, who started off with by saying something along the lines of "What have I got here, a bunch of hardened criminals or some people who need to take a bit more care when driving".

And one other thing, I didn't hear anyone on the course who had tried to get out of paying the 'fine' by claiming they'd made an innocent mistake, so why should they pay it. :P Going a bit off topic there though....

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The Course is unrecorded so you go away after as if you were never caught for insurance purposes.

Many insurance companies now "request" that you declare having been on a course whether it is recordable or not and if they subsequently find out that you have and have not told them may invalidate your cover.

there has been a lot of discussion of this in the motoring section of the Saturday Daily Telegraph in recent months.