As part of our Safer Roads Strategy, Northamptonshire Police operates National Speed Awareness Courses for some speeding offences. This is offered as an alternative to points on the licence with the aim of educating motorists about speed.
Offenders who fall within the eligibility criteria are offered the Speed Awareness Course at the point at which they would normally receive the Conditional Offer (speeding ticket).
The course currently costs £90.
Each course lasts four hours and includes discussion of a number of topics by the group, including:
- Possible reasons as to why drivers speed
- Moral dilemma scenarios and pressure on the driver
- Potential consequences of excessive speed on the driver and other road users
- 'Why do we have a 30mph limit?' bringing home the point that speed limits are exactly that - limits and not targets
- A series of scenario cards detailing specific circumstances - the participants are asked to identify hazards and the appropriate reaction
- Coping strategies for drivers to control their speed
- Summing up by the trainers with the emphasis on driver responsibility
The course is classroom-based with up to 24 delegates. You won't have to take a test but you will be expected to make a positive contribution to the course. The course has a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere; it is not intended to make you feel like a criminal. Even professional drivers with many years experience have reported a positive benefit from attending.
Courses are led by fully qualified and approved driving instructors who have been trained specifically to deliver this course to a national standard. Because Northamptonshire is part of the national standard, it means that offenders who have been caught in other parts of the country that operate the National Speed Awareness Course can opt to attend a course in Northampton .
The courses are held at:
Northampton Town Football Club
Sixfields Stadium
Walter Tull Way
Northampton
NN5 5QA
The course is not available for all drivers caught speeding. You cannot request to be put onto a Speed Awareness Course, it must be offered to you as detailed above. You will only be invited to attend one Speed Awareness Course in a three year period - subsequent offences will be dealt with in the normal way.
Contact the Safer Roads Team:
Call 101 ext. 8777
SaferRoads@northants.pnn.police.uk | See also:
 Terms & Conditions |
