Speed awareness scheme celebrates successful first year

6 April 2009

The speed awareness training offered by Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership as an alternative to penalty points has proved popular with motorists.

Since the training was introduced 12 months ago, seventy per cent of eligible motorists have chosen to complete the course instead of having points added to their licence.

The training - which includes a driving lesson and a classroom session – is offered to motorists caught committing their first low-level speeding offence in Derbyshire

Partnership manager Robert Hill said: "We want to educate people rather than punish them. Many people haven't been offered any tuition since they learned to drive as teenagers and are unaware of the significant risks posed by small increases in speed."

Robert added: "Lots of people who speed are not making a conscious decision to break the law. They are shocked when they learn that they are twice as likely to kill a child if they hit them at 35 miles per hour instead of 30 miles per hour."

The speed awareness course, which costs participants £107.66, comprises a two-hour session with a driving instructor and a three-hour classroom session.