[Misc] Speed awareness course

[Icy Gull]

Who has had one?

I got done for doing 45 through the traffic lights at Hillbarn on one of the very rare occasions I have actually got through the lights before they changed.

I received the letter a few days later offering me a speed awareness course at £90 or three points on my licence and a fine as well. Of course I opted for the course thinking it would be 2 and a half hours of mind numbing lecturing.

As it happens I quite enjoyed the course and found it interesting.

Since then, about three weeks ago, I have been far more circumspect in town driving. I was quite amazed by the difference 1 mph an hour over 30 can be in regard to stopping distances.

I have been driving since Noah was a boy and thought I knew exactly what I could and couldn’t do when driving in town traffic. I was wrong and am now far more aware when in 30 and 20 mph limits

What are your thoughts if you’ve done a Speed Awareness Course?

 

[Triggaaar]

Who has had one?

Yep.

Of course I opted for the course thinking it would be 2 and a half hours of mind numbing lecturing.

As it happens I quite enjoyed the course and found it interesting.

Since then, about three weeks ago, I have been far more circumspect in town driving. I was quite amazed by the difference 1 mph an hour over 30 can be in regard to stopping distances.

I was also surprised by the difference 1 mph can make, but that aside, I didn't like the course. I found it patronising and disingenuous.

 

[kalinski]

I enjoyed it as well. I am now the most annoying person to be behind as I am on the speed limit. The thing that most changed my driving is when I was commuting to Surrey and noticing no matter how fast I drove my eta hardly changed. So I now chill and drive within the limit and listen to podcasts...i am very very dull

 

[Sheebo]

Stat is not going to like these admissions

 

[Elbow750]

I enjoyed it too and it's helped my general awareness, especially around town. Yes, it's frightening how much extra braking distance a few mph makes.

I'm also super aware of variable speed limits, particularly on the M1 where I got caught for 60 in a 50 variable limit. I still say not enough notice was given of the change from 60 to 50, but I would do wouldn't I!

 

[Elbow750]

I enjoyed it too and it's helped my general awareness, especially around town. Yes, it's frightening how much extra braking distance a few mph makes.

I'm also super aware of variable speed limits, particularly on the M1 where I got caught for 60 in a 50 variable limit. I still say not enough notice was given of the change from 60 to 50, but I would do wouldn't I.
Good job I've not been caught on the bike for over 40 years now!!

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Who has had one?

I got done for doing 45 through the traffic lights at Hillbarn on one of the very rare occasions I have actually got through the lights before they changed.

I received the letter a few days later offering me a speed awareness course at £90 or three points on my licence and a fine as well. Of course I opted for the course thinking it would be 2 and a half hours of mind numbing lecturing.

As it happens I quite enjoyed the course and found it interesting.

Since then, about three weeks ago, I have been far more circumspect in town driving. I was quite amazed by the difference 1 mph an hour over 30 can be in regard to stopping distances.

I have been driving since Noah was a boy and thought I knew exactly what I could and couldn’t do when driving in town traffic. I was wrong and am now far more aware when in 30 and 20 mph limits

What are your thoughts if you’ve done a Speed Awareness Course?

I'm doing the course later this month having been caught by the same camera. It was switched from a red light camera to a Speed on Green one. What I would say is the signage is very poor, the first two signs are for a traffic light camera and they have now added a small speed camera sign just before you get there. Not an excuse but these things are meant to be about safety rather than making money so I feel the signs should be more obvious to make people slow down.

Do the courses make any difference? This will be my third time if that gives an answer. My first course was very dry, second one was actually very interesting so looking forward to seeing what has changed in the few years since I last attended.

 

[Weststander]

I enjoyed it as well. I am now the most annoying person to be behind as I am on the speed limit. The thing that most changed my driving is when I was commuting to Surrey and noticing no matter how fast I drove my eta hardly changed. So I now chill and drive within the limit and listen to podcasts...i am very very dull

I’ve slowed down on m-ways and dual carriageways, often setting cruise control to a gentle speed.

I now get to the destination/home stress free. Whilst loads bomb past at 85mph or more, gifting extra profits to the petro companies.

 

[Brian Fantana]

I’m a far better driver as a result of attending one. Which is the point, I suppose.

 

[Horses Arse]

I've enjoyed all the ones I went to. I wouldn't class myself as a fast driver, just really bloody unlucky. Who gets caught speeding doing 25 ? It's a curse I tell ya

 

[Weststander]

I'm doing the course later this month having been caught by the same camera. It was switched from a red light camera to a Speed on Green one. What I would say is the signage is very poor, the first two signs are for a traffic light camera and they have now added a small speed camera sign just before you get there. Not an excuse but these things are meant to be about safety rather than making money so I feel the signs should be more obvious to make people slow down.

Do the courses make any difference? This will be my third time if that gives an answer. My first course was very dry, second one was actually very interesting so looking forward to seeing what has changed in the few years since I last attended.

I think they’re brilliant, if you truly listen.

I did one a few years ago, the guy presenting it normally ran specialist government courses for drivers in SE England who’d left prison after convictions for Death by dangerous driving, or through drink/drugs driving. He chatted about it in the breaks. The ex-drivers had lost everything (except their lives) through their behaviour - liberty, marriages, homes repossessed, careers, blocked from a wide range of careers forever, almost uninsurable. A real eye-opener.

During the course he examined the reasons or psychology for speeding …. lazily stuck in too high a gear so maintaining revs/speed to justify it, getting caught up in competitiveness against other drivers, red mist, leaving home too late, outdated advice from driving lessons back in the day on use of gears, being pressurised by bullies behind.

 

[Sirnormangall]

Yes I’ve been on one. I’m now a slower and hopefully safer driver as a result. I enjoyed hearing about the husband and wife who turned up separately to the same course - surprised to find each other there!

 

[Igzilla]

In the past 10 years, I've done two (ahem). Yes, very good actually, even though on the second one I knew what to expect and what to say. But you do then become very aware of the the road around you, so worth doing if it's offered. First one due to me doing 38 on a small road near Pulborough trying to get to lunch with a screaming baby in the back. Second time those wretched speed cameras newly installed on the A27 at Sompting where the Joyful Whippet used to be, when going downhill from a 70 to a 40 with traffic lights - they changed to green as I was coming downhill as I blithely coasted through at 46mph or something...

 

[dazzer6666]

I’ll be getting back from Leeds as fast as I can.

 

[moggy]

Can you do the course without having offended?

 

[Triggaaar]

Can you do the course without having offended?

I don't think so. I would think there are better courses available for people who don't speed all the time.

 

[LamieRobertson]

It’s quite hard to break the speed limit in my van

 

[Ooh it’s a corner]

Yes - Mrs Corner and I both had one. It’s worse in Ireland as there is no such option unfortunately!

 

[AmexRuislip]

Who has had one?

I got done for doing 45 through the traffic lights at Hillbarn on one of the very rare occasions I have actually got through the lights before they changed.

I received the letter a few days later offering me a speed awareness course at £90 or three points on my licence and a fine as well. Of course I opted for the course thinking it would be 2 and a half hours of mind numbing lecturing.

As it happens I quite enjoyed the course and found it interesting.

Since then, about three weeks ago, I have been far more circumspect in town driving. I was quite amazed by the difference 1 mph an hour over 30 can be in regard to stopping distances.

I have been driving since Noah was a boy and thought I knew exactly what I could and couldn’t do when driving in town traffic. I was wrong and am now far more aware when in 30 and 20 mph limits

What are your thoughts if you’ve done a Speed Awareness Course?

Have attended 2 over the years and enjoyed both courses and learnt a lot.
My chauffeur not so much.

 

[peterward]

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