Driver education instead of points

16 December 2003: Ten Police Constabularies in England and Wales are offering as an alternative to the usual 3 points and a £60 fixed fine the opportunity for the offender to attend a driver education, ‘speed awareness course’.

This is under little-known legislation introduced in Britain in 2001. Drivers who have committed a ‘marginal’ speeding offence are invited to pay for an optional one-day course instead of paying the fine and accepting the points.

The courses are run by using a mix of theory classes and lectures, and include on-road driving tuition.

Staffordshire University has analysed the scheme in Lancashire which has put 23,000 drivers through its course. The findings reveal that motorists drive more slowly after attending a speed awareness course – between 2mph and 5mph depending upon the road.

©2003 irishcar.com