Speed Awareness Workshops

Speeding - Speed Cameras - Speed Workshops

An alternative to prosecution

Frequently asked Questions and comments

Q. Why is there a need for speed cameras; after all we all speed from time to time?

A. Unfortunately too many drivers still think it is acceptable to exceed the speed limit and the casualty figures support this. For example, 30% of collisions on rural roads and 4% on urban roads are speed related, with the latter resulting mainly in the death of pedestrians. When you consider that a car travelling at 35mph will need an extra 6 meters (21 feet) to stop than one travelling at 30mph it’s clear that exceeding the speed limit by even a small amount is potentially dangerous. Further more those stopping distance double when it’s wet and triple in snow or ice. To put this into perspective, during the last 3 years, 117 people have been killed on our roads, 44 were directly caused by excess speed. Another 200 were seriously injured with many losing limbs or suffering injuries that will change their quality of life for ever. It’s also worth noting that despite the view of a minority, speed cameras are only installed where there is a history of speed related collisions which have resulted in death or injury. They are not, as some would suggest, simply there to catch motorists and make money. If we wanted to do that we wouldn’t paint them yellow, we wouldn’t put up warning signs and we wouldn’t tell you where they were.

Q. Is it true that the police will prosecute a driver for travelling 1 or 2 miles an hour over the speed limit?

A. Whilst technically a driver would still be committing an offence, the answer is definitely: No. The main reason is that speedometers are not calibrated and with normal wear and tear they become less accurate, consequently the police allow some discretion and this applies to all speed limits. 

Q. If speeding is such a major concern, why are so many drivers invited to attend speed workshops rather than being prosecuted and receiving points on their licence?

A. Because there is overwhelming evidence from Academics throughout the world that education and training has a far more positive effect on drivers than prosecution. For example a high proportion of drivers who have points on their licence re-offend again within a year or two, compared to less than 1% who re-offend after 3 years having attended a speed workshop.

Q Where are workshops held?

A. Speed Awareness Workshops are a nationally approved programme and are held in various venues throughout the country. In Lincolnshire they are held at the Life Skills Academy in North Kyme near Sleaford on week days and two Saturday’s per month. Workshops are also held at the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership in Lincoln on most Saturdays.

Q. How and when do I pay for a course?

Once you have agreed with the Police to attend you can book on line or by telephone using a current debit or credit card. Confirmation of when and where a course will be held will be sent to you by email or post once full payment of £85 has been received.  If you wanted, you could also make a personal visit to the Road Safety Partnership during normal office hours and pay for the course by cheque, cash or postal order, but please note that payment by cheque will not be accepted within 21 days of the course and payment will not be accepted on the day of the course.

Q. How long will the workshop last?

A. The course duration is 4 hours.

Q. Are refreshments and meals available?

A. Liquid refreshments will be available, but no meals.

Q. What is the content of the workshop?

A. At the end of the workshop, clients should be able to:

• Appreciate why speed limits are needed and recognise speed limit areas.
• Understand why driving below the speed limit may be appropriate.
• Identify what causes them to speed.
• Identify the disadvantages and consequences of misusing speed.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate use of speed.
• Develop their own personal speed awareness strategy.

Q. How will I be assessed and can I fail?

A. There is no test and providing you satisfactorily complete the workshop by actively participating in the discussions no further action will be taken. However, if you are disruptive or uncooperative during the course you will be asked to leave and your file will be referred back to the police for prosecution – your course fee will not be refunded.

Q. Is it like going back to school?

A. 10,000 drivers have attended the course in the last year, 98% said that it was Excellent or very good and the following are some comments made by clients.

Mr H from Boston said. “I thought I was going to be lectured and patronised and basically told not to do it again. However, I was amazed how friendly and supportive the trainers were. I was never made to feel guilty and I learnt a lot, more that I ever imagined.”

Mrs B from Gainsborough said. “If I had any complaint it would be that you should offer this course to every driver before they are caught speeding. It was excellent, thank you.”

A journalist from London said. “You took my £85, it cost me hours to get here and I had to spend 4 hours in a miserable place like Lincolnshire, what more can I say.” (Which just goes to show you can’t please everyone)

Mr R from Lincoln said. “I would have rather have kept my £85 but in all honesty it was worth every penny and I would recommend it to anyone.”

Miss J from Grantham said. “Thank you very much, I actually enjoyed the course but please would you get more comfortable seats, they were too hard for me.”

Q. What other advantages are there to taking the workshop?

A. By successfully completing a Speed Awareness Workshop you will avoid having your licence endorsed with 3 penalty points and there is no legal responsibility for you to report the matter to your insurance company. Had you received the penalty points, your insurance premium may have increased and failure to notify them could invalidate any future claim.

Q. What will happen to my conditional offer?

A. Your conditional offer will be suspended on receipt of your booking and cancelled upon successful completion of the workshop.

Q. You have made a number of clear statements about the effectiveness of speed workshops but where is the evidence for this?

A. The research is based on national and local collision data, research by independent and reputable academic institutions and of course statements from clients. All this information is available at the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, so if we can help further why not call in and speak to us.