Automotive Industry Digest

Latest Fleet News For The Automotive Industry

General motor industry news

Three quarters of road users believe speed awareness courses are a good idea

A RECENT SURVEY conducted by road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist shows overwhelming support among road users for speed awareness courses and other schemes which offer drivers a learning opportunity as an alternative to prosecution.

More than 2,500 people completed the survey during March 2018. Of these, just over 74% said they believed that participation in the National Speed Awareness Course was a good idea, as an alternative to prosecution.

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth says: “We welcome the research published today (14 April) by the Department for Transport,  which shows that the targeting the behaviour of motorists through these courses reduced the likelihood of reoffending by up to 23 per cent.

“No one will feel positive when a speeding ticket arrives, but those who have the chance to attend one of these courses have an opportunity to take a look at their own behaviour in a positive and non-judgemental environment.

”We always thought that this must be a good thing for road safety, and it’s encouraging to know that this is now backed up by thorough, independent research.

“The next stage is to take this research to any insurance providers who are still intent on raising the premiums for motorists who attended these courses, with the spurious claim that their experience has made them higher-risk road users. The independent research shows this is categorically not the case.”

Comments from survey respondents included:

My response to a speeding ticket was negative and cynical; attending a course has made me more aware and objective re: the rules of the road.

I recently completed a course and it has made me think very carefully about even minor speed infractions.

Most people I know who’ve been on a course say it was very enlightening and beneficial.

The courses are very good, and would of benefit to all drivers at regular intervals not just when a minor offence is committed.

I haven’t done one myself, however have spoken to several people who have attended one and they said they learnt some interesting stuff which made them think twice about speeding.

I’ve been had on one and found it had much more effect than a fine.

GEM’s tips for avoiding a speeding ticket

Although GEM supports education over enforcement for low-level motoring offences, the organisation wishes to promote a proactive attitude to safety – and that includes staying within speed limits at all times.

Here are GEM’s five tips for using speeds that are both legal and safe on your journeys:

Give yourself plenty of time. Leave a bit early and lose any sense you might have to go faster to get to your destination on time.

Focus on the journey. Make a point of reading all road signs and speed limit changes – out loud if that helps!

If there are lamp posts, you should assume the limit is 30mph.

Think ahead, scan ahead. Look for clues that a speed limit might be about to change.

Be particularly observant when leaving motorways or other fast roads, even if dropping down into a 40mph or 30mph may well feel very slow.

Automotive Industry Digest

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial