Speed Awareness Course

[Thorilicious]

I had to do a speed Awareness Course recently. No excuse for speeding, and it wasn't intentional.
The course was really informative, and has made me rethink my current driving habits. I think that when you renew your license you should do one of these, just to keep things fresher in your mind.

I'm inclined to agree.
It is ludicrous when you think about the fact that I passed my test 40 years ago and have never had any sort of refresher since.

Absolutely. I did one years ago when I was a relatively young and naive driver and I took away so much from it. I dramatically changed my driving style - particularly with regard to safe stopping distances and leaving appropriate gaps!

I also agree. You can drive for decades with no refresher or check on competency unless you seriously fuck up and lose your licence. Those of us who have been driving 30/40/50 years will have seen huge increases in the amount of traffic on the roads in that time.

Perhaps a compulsory session with a driving instructor every 10 years, with extra lessons for anyone who doesn't meet the required standard?

But even then you will get people complaining about the cost and obligation and there isn't the instructor capacity to meet even that as a basic standard.

My course was virtual, which definitely made booking it easier than a face to face course.

I did a face to face course years ago, I think they should be mandatory every 5 years or so. Excellent stuff and well worth the money spent.

It does seem madness you can pass a test at 17 and then have no further checks on your competency. You could pass your test then, not get in a car fir 20 years and then go for a spin on the M25 perfectly legally...

Even a theory and hazard awareness test every five years would be sensible

I agree in principle, but the administrative burden on (presumably) the DVLA would be huge.

I couldn''t agree more.

The administrative burden would be minimal. After all, most people have to renew their photocard every 10 years, it could be linked to that. The only exceptions are people who haven't moved house since photocards were introduced in 1998.

It's the refresher training and competency check that we don't have the capacity for.

I have to do one soon, as was doing 36 in a 30mph zone. I am usually so diligent and use my cruise control to ensure I don't speed.
But before I have even been on the course (online) I am so much more aware now. It can only be a good thing.

@Boscoforever I found it really useful, definitely a handy reminder of things.