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National speed awareness course announced

Delegates at the National Roads Policing Conference in Birmingham last week were told that a national speed awareness course is to be introduced.

Richard Brunstrom, chief constable of North Wales Police and head of ACPO road policing, said: "Speeding remains unacceptable and must be further eliminated if we are to reach the demanding levels for casualty reduction set by the government and required by most citizens.  

"This scheme, when we achieve national provision as we have with driver improvement, will allow the police service to divert low-end speeding motorists to education and then if they persist to use fixed penalty and penalty points to force drivers to drive more responsibly and within the speed limits set for our roads."

Police forces will be encouraged to adopt the course and offer it to drivers who are detected speeding in certain limits - but not for those who are speeding by more than 10% or 6mph over any limit.

Courses will meet a national specification and will be provided by local authorities and companies who are members of the Association of National Driver Improvement Scheme Providers (ANDISP). The cost of the course will be borne by the motorist and will be roughly the same as the potential fine. No penalty points will go on the licence.

In a pilot scheme in Lancashire the vast majority of those caught opted to go on the course.

For further information go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4303656.stm