Rule change will allow speeding drivers to dodge points
POLICE are to give more speed offenders the opportunity to attend an educational course instead of driving license endorsements.
Speed seminars were introduced in 2001 for those caught committing low level speed offences – now rules over which drivers qualify have been relaxed, meaning more motorists than ever will qualify.
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Humberside Police casualty reduction officer Barry Gardner keeps a check on vehicles in Wrawby Road, Brigg.
The day long workshops are designed to educate offenders on the dangers of breaking speed limits and police say they are better at curbing re-offending rates than license points.
Casualty reduction officer, Pc Barry Gardner, said: "The changes concerning which drivers qualify to be offered a place on the seminar will change this summer and we're obviously expecting an increase in the number of people attending.
"The biggest being that it's thought people are less likely to commit a speeding offence again – everybody benefits from that."
The equation currently used to decide if a course can be offered is to calculate ten per cent of the speed limit, plus an extra 4mph – so someone doing up to 37mph in a 30mph could qualify as may someone doing up to 59mph in a 50mph limit.
Under the new rules the additional speed on top of the ten per cent of the speed limit will be boosted to 6pmh, meaning a driver caught at 39pmh in a 30mph or 61mph limit in a 50mph limit could escape points.
Ruth Gore of Safer Roads Humber, which carries out speed enforcement locally, said: "The speed awareness scheme gives drivers a chance to reflect on how they can prevent the issue which cause them to offend from happening again.
"The course is run by police and a driving instructor and there is a chance to discuss further driver training– we do understand for most drivers it is about a lapse in concentration.
"There is lots of participation, we talk about the Highway Code and the difference a higher speed can make if you are unfortunate enough to have a collision."
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2 Comments
by Lesley, Scunthorpe
Thursday, April 22 2010, 10:08PM
“Us drivers now spend more time watching the speedo because we don't want points and a fine than we do what's happening on the road, surely is more dangerous than being a few miles an hour over the speed limit and watching what is happening on the road ahead. The Police should spend some time dealing those other offences - using a handheld mobile while driving, driving with fog lights on blinding other road users, plyaing extremely loud music - cars pass my house and I can hear the thud thud of the base inside my house - surely that is nothing for the concentration of the driver. I could go on, and I'm sure that many other road users could add to my comments - come on Police do something about these issues and get the support of local people.”
by moobaa, bottesford
Sunday, April 18 2010, 8:32PM
“what happens when THEY have a 'lapse in concentration'? the answer? we all know that it's 'NOTHING'.
one rule for us another for them.how many times have i witnessed a police car , on roads and motorways, clearly breaking the speed limit. if they haven't got a flashing blue light then they're no safer than you or i. they really pee me(and everyone else i know) off, with this 'lets pick on an easy target' business. dangerous driving is not all about speed. i see it all the time in people not knowing how to signal on a roundabout, or stopping traffic so that they may let someone out of a junction. not to mention the number of fools i see using their mobile phones whilst driving.
my respect for the police has largely gone these days, and that is a great shame.”