Slow Down…There’s no Rush
Lancashire County Council’s Road Safety Group is reminding drivers and riders to be aware of speed limits and to keep to them, being especially cautious and more aware on unfamiliar roads.
The advice comes ahead of the August Bank Holiday when many people may be on the roads travelling on holiday or visiting friends and relatives outside of the Red Rose County.
It supports the Government’s statement issued this week stating that it is committed to ensuring that speed limits are complied with and enforced as a means of reducing deaths and injuries on our roads. The document includes: “Speeding is a traffic offence with potentially serious consequences and driving at excessive speeds continues to be a problem that results in accidents, fatalities and serious injuries. That is why there is a speed management policy in place as part of an overall strategy to reduce casualties on the roads.”
Driving too fast was the main cause of 1,200 deaths and more than 20,000 serious injuries on the UK’s built-up roads last year. It is estimated that one in three crashes are speed-related.
Lancashire County Council runs a pioneering Speed Awareness Course, which aims to educate drivers and riders caught marginally over the speed limit in the County. The course is based on referrals from Lancashire Constabulary and is offered as an alternative to penalty points and a fine but does incur a fee. It is delivered on behalf of the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety by the Council’s Road Safety Group.
The success of the course lies within its approach. It lasts for around six to seven hours with a balance of both theory and practical elements. Specially trained Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) run the courses. Classroom activities include looking at what makes a driver speed and the possible consequences. A hazard awareness test highlights to clients the many dangers out on the roads and in the environment around them. Practical driving sessions allow both drivers and riders an evaluation of their driving and tips for improved and safer driving.
Client feedback has been extremely positive, with many clients even surprising themselves at the results: “The car instructor was very professional and I think every road user should partake in this type of course. Keep up the good work.” and “The course was very well explained and easy to understand. Everything I have learned will stick with me” are just two examples.
Road Safety Group Manager, Neil Cunliffe, explained:
“The course is going from strength to strength, educating up to 1,500 clients per month. It intends to aid drivers and riders in identifying the causes and disadvantages of speeding, as well as the consequences of misusing speed. It also helps participants to demonstrate the correct use of speed for a variety of hazards and to identify different speed limit areas.
“By enabling participants to put theory into practice on our roads we aim to make Lancashire a safer place in which to travel.”
Note to Editors
- The Speed Awareness Course launched in June 2001
- To date the course has educated over 45,000 drivers and riders
- 47 representatives from local authorities and police forces across the UK have participated as clients on the course
- The course is offered as an alternative to points and a fine for those caught speeding at 37/38mph in a 30mph zone, 48/49mph for those caught in a 40mph zone and 59/60mph for a 50mph zone.