'Speed course improved my driving' (From Bridgwater Mercury)
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'Speed course improved my driving'
4:35pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News
A MOTORIST has told how getting caught speeding improved his driving.
Chartered accountant Mike Baldock opted to go on an Avon and Somerset Police speed awareness course after a ticket arrived through his letterbox.
Mike, a driver for 33 years, was clocked doing 38mph in a 30mph zone.
He said: “I learned a lot on the course and I've now changed the way I drive. I believe I’m better and safer for it.
“I've actively changed my driving using COAST - Concentration, Observation, Anticipation, Space and Time.
"I now concentrate much more on driving. It enables you to switch off from the problems of the day and focus completely on driving, which is much safer than being on auto pilot."
Alan Prosser, manager of the driving training schemes, said the course had helped many drivers mend their ways behind the wheel.
He said: “We get hundreds of e-mails from motorists saying how much they enjoyed the course and had improved their driving as a result.
“The aim is to educate motorists who have perhaps forgotten some of the rules of the road and reduce road accidents as a result.
"Many motorists who attend our courses go on to take an advanced driving course to further improve their driver safety."
Ch Insp Yannis Georgious, of Avon and Somerset Road Policing Unit, said the force had six mobile camera vans top enforce speed limits, targeting speeding blackspots.
He added: “While we’ll be robust with speeders, education over prosecution will assist in keeping our communities safe.
“Research has shown that when faced with the full impact and possible consequences of speeding, individuals are less likely to speed again.”
Comments(8)
BaldCarl2
says...
10:51pm Mon 13 Feb 12
Personally, I think the old bill should target the real causes of road traffic accidents. Namely driving under influence of drink/drugs, young inexperienced kids driving dangerously, EXCESSIVE speeding and experienced old people who are no longer capable of handling cars.
Dick Turpin Works For Council
says...
11:49pm Mon 13 Feb 12
BaldCarl2 wrote:Presumably, BaldCarl2, your own bit of "propaganda" as you refer to this article means that you're in the group whose driving is great, just great.
What a wonderful piece of propaganda.
Personally, I think the old bill should target the real causes of road traffic accidents. Namely driving under influence of drink/drugs, young inexperienced kids driving dangerously, EXCESSIVE speeding and experienced old people who are no longer capable of handling cars.
At 38 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, Mike Baldock was driving excesssively fast, and had he hit a pedestrian at that speed he would almost certainly have killed them. I guess his speed awareness course taught him that, so that now, armed with that information, he realises the error of his former ways.
From your denigrating tone, should we assume that at 38 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, you're in a bubble which makes you a safer driver than Mike Baldock?
RaeRae93
says...
12:44am Tue 14 Feb 12
Dick Turpin Works For Council wrote:Well said.
BaldCarl2 wrote:Presumably, BaldCarl2, your own bit of "propaganda" as you refer to this article means that you're in the group whose driving is great, just great.
What a wonderful piece of propaganda.
Personally, I think the old bill should target the real causes of road traffic accidents. Namely driving under influence of drink/drugs, young inexperienced kids driving dangerously, EXCESSIVE speeding and experienced old people who are no longer capable of handling cars.
At 38 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, Mike Baldock was driving excesssively fast, and had he hit a pedestrian at that speed he would almost certainly have killed them. I guess his speed awareness course taught him that, so that now, armed with that information, he realises the error of his former ways.
From your denigrating tone, should we assume that at 38 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, you're in a bubble which makes you a safer driver than Mike Baldock?
ohdearithappenedagain
says...
2:46pm Tue 14 Feb 12
The A+S speed awareness course was ended almost a year ago (March '11 if I'm not mistaken).
Or has it come back?
Clarification?
Mark1970
says...
4:20pm Tue 14 Feb 12
ohdearithappenedagaiOperation Taboo to which I have been on was in operation for a long time. It has now been cancelled in Jan 2012 and replaced with a new scheme.
n wrote:
Any idea why this article has been published now?
The A+S speed awareness course was ended almost a year ago (March '11 if I'm not mistaken).
Or has it come back?
Clarification?
The speed was on your record for 3 years, but like me, I went to Bristol for the scheme, but was told that after Jan then it would not be on my record, as the database would be wiped off.
I done 43 in a 30 and went on this course, it taught me nothing being honest, I am a very safe professional driver, but I sped to over take a moped after coming off a roundabout, then once I was past I reduced my speed back down to 30 and was caught by a bike cop.
This was down a stretch of road, that could easily be a 40 mph road.
30 mph should only be for built up areas, and not for non residential roads.
madcow
says...
5:01pm Wed 15 Feb 12
BaldCarl2
says...
12:08am Thu 16 Feb 12
I will not be drawn into any details about whether or not I have ever driven moderately in excess of speed limits. Or gone through the odd red light when no-one is looking ;)
It also helps knowing where the crooks park up in order to rob of your hard earned money. End of the Taunton Road near the garage, Bath Road on the lay-by after the petrol station, Bristol Road on a little side road before the shed place. Needless to say, I keep my eyes open there!
mayrose says...
2:56pm Sun 12 Feb 12