National Driver Improvement Course

[BlackShadow]

I've been invited by my local constabulary to attend a Driver Improvment Course. Has anybody done one of these? What does the course consist of? Was it useful? Did everybody pass viz be deemed to have completed the course satisfactorily?

[PhilT]

Have you been involved in an accident, or had your wrist slapped? http://www.driver-improvement.co.uk/CMSPro/59/index.php

[BlackShadow]

An overtaking manouvre which was a little tight. It was dark so didn't see the police car. They pull me over and say it was "careless driving". Paperwork comes through, and as an anternative to prosecution, points & fine; they offer the driver improvement course; so I accept it. Seems fair enough, and hopefully I'll learn something.

[derdle]

I've had friends attend the speeding awareness courses - I suppose they're similar? They've said that the lecturers can be a bit "anal" but on the whole they did learn something from the course.

I think you'd be wise to take the course as a court prosecution is likely to end up with a lost day and possibly a big fine, costs and at least 3 points on your licence which you'll have to declare to your insurance company...they may "ignore" speeding points but are likely to load your premium for careless driving!

[PhilT]

If it was me, I'd take the course

[S25MRS]

How much does the course cost? I know that the 'offender' has to pay for the privilege of attending the 'speeders' course. Still wouldn't be as much as fine for careless driving though, I imagine.

[BlackShadow]

The course costs £180, and lasts 1 and a half days. I have signed up as this is a lot cheaper than the fine, prosecution costs (assuming found guilty), points, increased insurance costs etc. I will hopefully learn something and be a better driver/less of a menance to other road users. Seems better to correct behaviour than punish it while leaving the errant behaviour uncorrected. My wife did say that she can't remember a time when we have been overtaken; it is always our car doing the overtaking.

Will attend the course at the end of April and report back.

[derdle]

that she can't remember a time when we have been overtaken; it is always our car doing the overtaking.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all! There are so many cars on the road nowadays without enough grunt to overtake anything bar a milk float. Overtake while you can...before they ban it!

[BlackShadow]

Agree with your comments; and I'm sure one day they may ban it. I was in the US recently and struck how they had solid centre lines for miles, when overtaking was perfectly safe.

I guess there is safe overtaking, and then not quite so safe overtaking. 380 bhp does you give you the ability to overtake quite a few cars at once; just a question of doing it responsibly - and watching out for the rozzers.

[viperbl]

I wonder if they might teach you how to hold the perfect drift on a skid pan? No harm in asking

[tartan_rob]

I wonder if they might teach you how to hold the perfect drift on a skid pan? No harm in asking

You mean to skid safely..? LOL

Well done on doing the course, I'm sure you'll leanr a few bits and it may even make you think twice next teim. Thats all good news.

I would however be aware that you'll have to eat lots of humble pie and take all the verbal abuse on the chin.

Much better to try and re-educate than to punish and leave the trait left alone.

[quattrokid1]

not applicable in Scotland

JUST GET 3 POINTS AND 60 QUID INSTEAD:twisted:

[derdle]

not applicable in Scotland

JUST GET 3 POINTS AND 60 QUID INSTEAD:twisted:

So for a "Careless Driving" case you only get a Fixed Penalty, rather than being hauled up in front of the beak?