Speed Awareness Course

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Willopotomas · #1 Post by **Willopotomas** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 6:11 pm

Anyone been on one? I did today.

Going in to it I though "ah, easy easy way to avoid a few points", but coming out I feel I have actually learnt something. I'm not too proud to say that I didn't know about some of the things that were talked about. I did say my bit about other road users not looking out for motorcyclists, to which there was a little debate. The two bods running the course were in agreement that us biker types make up the majority of the safer car drivers on the roads. Which surprised a few people. One chap came up to me at the end and asked about getting on a bike, and I hope I managed to encourage him to take the right route.. IE, start off small, and build it up.

Anyway. Just thought I'd say that if you're ever offered the course, take it up. It may surprise you.

DavShill · #2 Post by **DavShill** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 7:01 pm

Hi Willo - yes I've done two in the last 18months, one for the car and one for the bike. I found them interesting too. Much of the content is taken from the Police rider manual used on the IAM course. The guys that took the session where good too, not patronising at all and quite funny (one ROSPA gold instructor and one bike/traffic cop).

squadron Nero · #3 Post by **squadron Nero** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 8:00 pm

Yeah I've done the course about 8 months ago. Got caught doing 56mph in a 50 by average speed cameras on the M54. Definitely better than points and a fine and it was a good refresher of some of the Highway Code. I did learn that the speed limit for HGVs is 60mph they are only limited to 56mph because of EU emission laws. Pretty fucking pointless as I don't drive a wagon.

Most of the people there didn't have a clue and couldn't even recognise basic road signs. Then again that shouldn't really come as a surprise when observing the standard of driving in this country.

Willopotomas · #4 Post by **Willopotomas** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 9:29 pm

squadron Nero wrote:Most of the people there didn't have a clue and couldn't even recognise basic road signs. Then again that shouldn't really come as a surprise when observing the standard of driving in this country.

Kind of points to the need for refresher courses as a mandatory part of having a valid licence. Obviously this isn't viable, and would be totally impractical. However, the amount of people on the course I was on today that didn't know what the national speed limit is, was quite alarming. One woman was adamant it was 40mph single and 50mph duel! Madness. I did learn however that a duel carriageway doesn't necessarily mean two lanes in the same direction. Just a central divide. National speed limit will be 70mpg unless stated. Didn't know that..

BikerGran · #5 Post by **BikerGran** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:42 pm

I did one last year and found that I knew a lot of stuff that others didn't, possibly due to motorcycling experience and being married to an ex trucker.

(The awful sin that put me there was stupidity - 36 in a 30, 1mph less and they wouldn't have done me!)

flatlander · #6 Post by **flatlander** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 11:07 pm

Been on3 courses all pretty useless one was for a policeman on a bridge on the motorway pretending to throw something off got 8 of us who had all been working late ... No signs no warning no marked car or uniform and illegally parked on the motorway bridge another for an alleged average speed if 86mph in a broken golf diesel going over to Buxton ...lets just say that I'd that was accurate someone needs to sign me up for a racing team! 3rd same stretch if road 56mph no argument I probably was doing that one hence not doing 86 average to Buxton a week later!
Had to laugh when the instructor was leaning and driving with the window down smoking driving one handed failing to indicate and cut someone up

Dusty · #7 Post by **Dusty** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:18 am

I don't think we get offered these north of the border. However, I'm surprised that you can go on two in 18 months, Dave. Don't they record the fact that you've already beeon on one recently and then throw the maximum fine and points at you?

BikerGran · #8 Post by **BikerGran** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:19 pm

Can't do more than one in 12 months.

squadron Nero · #9 Post by **squadron Nero** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:47 pm

BikerGran wrote:Can't do more than one in 12 months.

When I did mine they told me It was 3 years.

flatlander · #10 Post by **flatlander** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 10:47 pm

Depends on the exact course I did 3 one was a new motorway awareness so was different one was I think because the 8 of us wrote asking to question the officers behaviour and one was something else

BikerGran · #11 Post by **BikerGran** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 8:27 pm

Actually I think they do vary, now I come to think of it, they did emphasise that what we were doing was not the national "Speed awareness course" but their own (Dorset Police) "Driver Awareness Course" - because they believe that speed is not the only factor that's dangerous.

Have to say I totally agree with that, and seem to remember saying something to that effect in a survey I di about 10 years ago when I worked for them!

Aladinsaneuk · #12 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 10:04 pm

iirc - per constabulary - should be national but you can get away with it if it is two different sets of plod.... i know a very good friend who did norfolk and then suffolk 7 months later....

DavShill · #13 Post by **DavShill** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:36 pm

Ye Dusty I thought the same. I got the caught in the car first (34 in a 30mph zone in the next village) so I took the option of the course. Then got caught on the bike (tailed by an unmarked Hyabusa and he averaged me at 73 mph over a short distance) I thought I'd have to take the points but it turns out they consider the car and bike different and offered me a bikers speed awareness course. No complaints from me. On both occasion I broke the limit and the officers were very polite and professional. I was a bit miffed at 4 mph over the limit in the car though !

Willopotomas · #14 Post by **Willopotomas** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:38 pm

DavShill wrote:Ye Dusty I thought the same. I got the caught in the car first (34 in a 30mph zone in the next village) so I took the option of the course. Then got caught on the bike (tailed by an unmarked Hyabusa and he averaged me at 73 mph over a short distance) I thought I'd have to take the points but it turns out they consider the car and bike different and offered me a bikers speed awareness course. No complaints from me. On both occasion I broke the limit and the officers were very polite and professional. I was a bit miffed at 4 mph over the limit in the car though !

Noticed you're from Beverly. I was done in Howden. 35 in a 30. My wifes gran lives in Pocklington.

DavShill · #15 Post by **DavShill** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:50 pm

Hi Will - yep we go to Pocklington quite often. the Arts Centre there is really good. Vibrant folk scene and some really good other music stuff, the Blockheads are regular visitors.

I keep promising to lead a rideout round East and North Yorks we have some amazing roads - must do it next year (note to self....).