Drivers see point of speed course

By Jemima Laing
BBC News, Devon

About 22,000 people have attended the courses across the UK

At first glance it is hard to discern what links the group of 20 people gathered in a Devon town hall on a sunny Tuesday morning.

But they all have at least one thing in common: they have recently been caught by a speed camera.

And rather than ending up in court or adding points to their licences, they have opted to attend a speed awareness course.

The courses have been offered as an alternative to points since November 2005 and Devon was one of the first areas to adopt the scheme.

In the Devon and Cornwall Police force area, about 80% of those offered the option to attend the course take it, and drivers are only permitted to attend one course within a three-year period.

"It's only offered for relatively low level speeding offences," said Peter Gimber, Devon County Council's road safety manager.

2005 FIGURES FOR DEVON 47 deaths: inappropriate speed was a contributory factor in 38% 272 serious injuries: inappropriate speed was a contributory factor in 31% 3318 slight injuries: inappropriate speed was a factor in 19%

As the course in Ivybridge gets under way, most of the participants appear to anticipate a glorified knuckle-rapping exercise - for which they have all paid £60.

But Ch Insp Ian Aspinall, head of traffic at Devon and Cornwall Police, is clear about what he wants people to get out of the courses - and it is about education rather than punishment.

"This is a community safety initiative, it's not about making money or punishing people," he said.

"I hope they become safer citizens and safer drivers."

As the three-hour course progresses, the group is asked by two instructors from the Devon Drivers' Centre to work through a number of issues such as responsibilities to other road users, perception of speed and other hazards, and the consequences of excessive and inappropriate speed.

And once the course is finished the group is asked to give anonymous feedback, which Mr Gimber said is "almost invariably positive".

Drivers can only attend one of the courses in any three-year period

"They might come in hostile and a bit grumpy, but they tend to end the session seeing the benefits of it," he said.

But Paul Biggs, from the Association of British Drivers, said he still has "mixed feelings" about the courses.

"Of course it's better than getting three points and it's generally a positive thing, but I think it is a bit of brainwashing.

"We're all for more driver training, but the courses could have a more rounded outlook," he said.

However, Jane, a 55-year-old self-employed businesswoman from Tavistock, who attended the course at Ivybridge does not feel "brainwashed".

"I did feel at the beginning - why I am here? I've been driving for nearly 40 years and I was only doing 39mph when I got caught by the camera.

"But they got your attention right away and I really found it very beneficial.

We want people to hang on to the fact that it's 30mph for a reason Peter Gimber

"It certainly didn't feel like propaganda, and nor was it a wrist-slapping thing. The tone was right, it was very professional and very positive, and I'm so glad I went."

And she said the course is having a lasting effect.

"I'm really very much more of aware of my speed now," she said.

So how will the success of the courses, which have so far been attended by 22,000 people nationwide since 1 January 2006, be calculated?

"Because it's so new the method of evaluation is still being worked out," said Mr Gimber.

"But we will be looking at whether people are caught again and seeing if it is more or less effective than penalty points.

"We think it's a productive option. We want people to hang on to the fact that it's 30mph for a reason."