Speed awareness courses.....

[R1Geezer]

Can anyone explain the logic behind why they only give them to the people who are least appropriate. 35 in a 30 is just a bit of exuberance, now 60 in a 30 surely that person would benefit from the course. It's seems that they are saying if you are anything other than an occasional light speeder we can't help! I mean imagine if they applied that to drugs. Sorry no heroin junkies, had a spliff at college three years ago? great you can join our "get you clean" course. Doesn't seem to make sense.

[DrFilth]

my mate has been on one there crap. i have just had a quick look for the official figures but can't find the info. i think it is something like 5% of all accidents are due to speeding

camera mad north wales has seen it's death toll double in the past year from 6 to 13 while durham has only one fixed speed camera has gone down 42%. north yorshire has no fixed cameras gone down 15%


sleep soundly in your bed knowing that the police will catch joe bloggs doing 36 in a 30 while some poor pensioner will get attacked and robbed in his own home

richard brunstrom head of north wales police what a nice man



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[jake-the-peg]

Dr Filth seems to be arguing that we should abolish speed limits - perhaps until accidents start to raise and more people are killed!

Not sure what benefit would be derived from doing so.

Anyway to answer the question I think the logic is that those just over the speed limit is just carelessness and they're more likely to have an effect and jolt such people into taking more care.

Those who were caught at very high speed are likely to be habitual deliberate law breakers and are unlikely to change their behaviour from a course that their mates have already tod them is "crap"

Getting people like that to change really requires tougher sanctions like the very real risk that they'll lose their license.

You may be right about the drug analogy the numbers that come off of methadone are depressingly low (less than 5% I think) but there's no real other option.

The option for habitual high speeders is easy - no license .

Alas you can't take away a heroin users drugs license

[Doolallygirl]

My sister has been on one of these in similar circumstances - she didn't benefit from it at all! Only thing is you can only go on a certain amount I think before you will just have to accept the points on your licence.

If everyone drove at the limit though you wouldn't need to worry about it ay Geez??!

[jake-the-peg]

Well that's the other option.

We could do away with all speed traps and cameras.

Just electronically limit all vehicles to the locally enforced speed limits.

Would take a while to spread into all cars but before you know it it would be the case.

Would make it a damn sight easier for the police to catch car thieves too!

Didn't Top Gear look at a car in Japan that knew when it was at a race track via it's GPS?

[jg96]

Yes I have been on one got caught doing 38 in a 30. I went on it to keep my 35 year old clean licence intact. Speaking to a number of other people on the course we were all there for the same reason more or less. Did I learn anything Yes I did keep a better look out for mobile speed cameras especially at the bottom of hills.

[gsr600]

Well - jake-the-peg
what about those that don't have a licence or any other form of legal requirement before driving, it don't stop them
so can we please shoot all offenders,
or would that be against their human rights?
he he

[jake-the-peg]

What we have today doesn't stop them either does it?

Do try to keep up

[R1Geezer]

Good points made above, I think it's a little Twee to assume that a few MPH over means they are careless and therefore reachable. I think the case needs to be considered on its merits rather than a purely arbitrary ratio. For example you may be surprised to know that I have only 3 points, they where from approx 3 years ago and that was in the car on Sunday morning at 9 ish through a village at 39 in a 30, ie about as limp wristed as you can get. I didn't get offerred a course, am I beyond help? I reckon anything deemed a Fixed penalty should get the offer of this course.