Speed awareness course clocks up 1,000 in Warwickshire
This week sees the 1,000th Speed Awareness Workshop take place in Warwickshire.
The half-day courses, which were pioneered by Warwickshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit, are offered to motorists detected driving just above the speed limit as an alternative to accepting a fixed penalty notice (£60 fine and 3 penalty points) or having their case heard at court.
Nearly 16,000 motorists have now attended the courses that are designed to change drivers attitudes to speeding and help them become safer drivers.
Warwickshire was one of the first areas to run speed awareness workshops, launching them in 2003.
The courses are delivered by Warwickshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit on behalf of Warwickshire Casualty Reduction Partnership. The workshops have proved very popular with 70% of motorists taking up the offer to attend the courses. The vast majority of participants give highly positive feedback on the course content and delivery.
County Councillor Martin Heatley, Environment Cabinet Portfolio holder said: “Education of road users is a meaningful way of affecting attitudes. I am very confident that this intervention introduced by the Warwickshire Road Safety Unit will contribute to the casualty reduction targets.
“All of us as drivers must take on board that speed limits are in place for the safety of all of us.”
Temporary Police Chief Superintendent Gary Hollis and Chair of Warwickshire Casualty Reduction Partnership said: “Inappropriate and excessive speed remains the single largest cause of crashes on our roads. Achieving a higher level of speed limit compliance will reduce the number of road casualties in Warwickshire.
“Educational initiatives such as the Speed Awareness Workshops along with speed enforcement and engineering measures, play a vital role in making our roads a safer place for all users.”
Many people think it is acceptable to drive just above the speed limit. However, an average family car travelling at 35mph will need an extra 6 metres (21 feet) to stop than one travelling at 30mph.
For further information about the course, please contact Brian Pierce, Warwickshire County Council 01926 418037