Three points on my driving licence with a £60 fine, or a four hour speed awareness course costing £82. Not really a choice, so I went for the speed awareness course.
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The only convenient course I could fit in happened to be at a centre close to my ‘offence site’ at Wolseley Bridge. Poetic justice?
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I need not have worried about my other participants. The average age must have been 50 and I reckon at least half were retired. So much for the boy racers! Actually this myth was quickly dispelled as either they are not offered the option of the course or their insurance premiums are so prohibitive that they are far more cautious about their driving speed.
I don’t really have a view about the fairness of speed cameras. Speed limits are there for very good reasons and I was caught out doing something I shouldn’t have been doing – driving too fast. It seems we all want speed limits outside our own houses enforced, but are prepared to speed outside the homes of other people.
When asked the question “what would life be like if people chose to obey only those laws they agreed with”, one wag replied France!
None of us were in flash, sporty cars. There were a few Mercedes and BMW drivers, but these were in family saloon type cars.
The course was actually very interesting. The presenters certainly knew their stuff, although the presentation style of one of them was a bit bombastic. Every sentence ended with “yes?”, “am I not right?” or “do you agree?’. To which we either nodded, muttered “yes” or chanted “you are”! We were lectured at - in an interactive way - and every now and then he would target one of us with a question but not give any thinking time. Strange when confronting a bunch of oldies! Sometimes a fellow participant would give the wrong answer and you could almost see them slide down in their chair in shame.
None of us knew that a STOP sign was octagonal.
However, the course was very worthwhile, and, in parts almost enjoyable. It was perhaps half an hour too long. Even with a couple of short breaks it was difficult to concentrate for four hours, and I feel that the same end would have been achieved with a slightly shorter course.
I think the ‘law of diminishing returns’ is a good parallel to draw.
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My recent reading suggests that your wag has a vision of France that is at least a decade old.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how true it is either, but it certainly raised a cheap laugh.
DeleteHello Gaynor:
ReplyDeleteHappily as we no longer own or drive a motor car we are unlikely to find ourselves on one of these particular courses. We fear, even allowing for the seriousness of the offence, we might have been tempted to be mildly disruptive.
We do sympathise over the cost!!
All in all I think the course was the better option.
DeleteI've seen lives devastated by the consequences of speeding, so was happy to be re-educated. It's nearly 40 yeas since I was taught to drive!
Oh goodness! I tend to speed, too, and I should be more careful...wouldn't want to end up in a boring course like that! I love the "France" response! lol
ReplyDeleteIt was my penance! Hopefully I now have greater awareness of speed.
DeleteI fear I would have been tempted to disruption by the 'am I not right?' bombast....they're there to help..to teach...to remind...not to impose their will!
ReplyDeleteDo you think I'd have failed the course if making my point with them?
Answer...if there was another eighty two quid in it for the organisers...certainly I would.
Actually none of the participants was disruptive> one of the first things he said was that in order for any of us to get anything out of the course this shouldn't happen.
DeleteHe also left us in no doubt of who was in charge!
However, as I've said the course was worthwhile BUT you had to play the game by his rules! This I suppose was the whole point of the course. We needed to address our lack of speed awareness. We were also given tips for spotting speed limits.
I have heard that the courses are very good. Nigel and I both have advanced drivers licences, but we certainly could do with refresher courses. Needless to say we also break the speed from time to time. We have, so far, been lucky not to get zapped! Sure it will happen one day!! Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
DeleteHe recommended that course to us. Tim did the IAM test about 30 years ago but inadvertantly let his membership lapse.
For me it was lack of concentration that meant I didn't slow down quickly enough a I entered a 40 limit from a 60.
I have been caught on camera in the past but was never offered a choice - just a fine and points. I honestly don't think I would have taken a course in the UK but it's been really interesting to read your account of it - and I had no idea a STOP sign was octagonal...in fact, my first thought was, no way! I will look out for them in future. I drive a lot less in Spain and we are speed aware but I'd quite fancy going on a course here if it were offered as there are some outrageous speed changes expected of motorists - for example, within 300m, three signs can show 80, 60, 80 - which actually requires a fairly hard break to comply with and often we end up looking around for the reason, which is not always clear at all! I'd have lots of questions!
ReplyDeleteAnyway - excellent post! Axxx
Thanks!
DeleteI'm hoping not to have to go back.
I got my license quite late in life and in the back woods of New England as well! As a result I am far too timid to dare drive in England -- I found the crowded roads and confusing signing very intimidating! Good for you, Gaynor, being so open about what happened and an interesting insight into the instruction you chose to undergo.
ReplyDeleteI think these courses are offered to lots of people.
DeleteThe thinking is that re-education is better than punishment. You are only able to attend once in any three year period. More than this and it will be points and a fine.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about deleting your comment but I don't accept annonymous comments.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
I've heard good things about these courses, and am fascinated as to who gets offered them and who goes straight to points and fine. I do wonder how successful the teaching method would be in other circumstances though......our classrooms do not really need that approach do they.I always think it is interesting for an educator to be on the receiving end.... I think you have been very kind in your comments.... and I would love Fly to have been in the group. J.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice,
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling well.
I think courses are offered to people with speeding offences up to 13 mph over the limit, dependind on the speed limit. My offence was 52 in a 40. The speedlimit went from 60 to 40 and I didn't slow down quickly enough! No excuse.
Most people were less than 10 over.
The presentation style wasn't great, but I fear that when I'm sent my evaluation I won't say what I really think.
Or perhaps I will...
Lack of concentration caught me out several years ago on an empty motorway (M55) at 10:30pm.... It cost me 3 points and £60!
ReplyDeleteI try so hard to concentrate now but I couldn't have told you the shape of a STOP sign, so I obviously don't concentrate as much as I thought!