Speed awareness course

[mister c]

A few of you may know that I was caught speeding by a camera a few weeks ago on my Gladys. I was seething when the summons came through as I was doing 36mph in a 30 limit at 7 am on a Sunday morning, but, after putting something on Farcebook, a few people said that they found the SAC a little informative, so signed up.
It meant that I would still be points free on my licence & it was only for half a day, so why not?
The 2 guys running the course weren't Policemen, they were driving instructor Trainers & I have to admit, it is one of the most informative courses I've ever been on. They explained everything in such a brilliant manner that it got the message over, but was also entertaining.
Both of the instructors were AIM bikers too & seeing as I was the only biker there, ended up having a good natter to them.
I have learned my lesson & do watch my speed a lot more now in built up areas & am also thinking of doing an AIM course to improve my riding.

So, if you do get caught speeding, I can highly recommend doing the course, even somebody like me that has ridden for nearly 40 years can learn some very valuable things.

[maviczap]

Yep, I did one a few years ago, better than points by far

[timwilky]

when I got nicked for my one and only ever speeding at 35 in a 30. No offer of a course 3 points and 60 quid.

Others I knew going faster got offers but obviously they were after me for some reason. Must of been the 90 they couldn't prove a few weeks earlier where I got the plod saying. You were a bit quick there as I passed him parked up in a side road and had reduced my speed by the time he had pulled out to follow me.

[Balky001]

I did a SAC a few years ago.

The instructors were really nice chaps, very funny and practical too. Sped up the course too as there was a town carnival and didn't want people getting caught in traffic.

They only offer SAC if you are within a certain % of the speed limit, I thought (then) 36 in a 30 was the max before they could not offer the course. One person was there as was doing 32 in a 30!

I think I was doing 45 in a 40 dual carriageway avoiding a lane wandering coffee drinking mobile phone user on a early Sunday morning. Of course he wasn't speeding (deep in conversation juggling his cup and phone) so he was obviously deemed driving safe enough for the camera not to flash!

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by Balky001

One person was there as was doing 32 in a 30!

fek right off would have been my answer to that one.

if speed limits are a maximum and you are under no obligation to reach that maximum then why can you fail your driving test for 'not making progress'?

[mister c]

I was told by a customer yesterday that there is one county that does have zero tolerance & he was done for being 2mph over the limit. I think that I would have to contest that because no speedometer is going to be bob on, so how can you tell?
The fine is now £100 Tim, or it's £85 for the course. The instructors did say that any funds left over (there were 22 people on our course) goes to help fund road safety in areas where the government won't fund.

[NTECUK]

Hopefully I can avoid such an invite.
But glade to read it has been a positive experance.

[7755matt]

I assume that manufacturers must abode by the same rules regarding construction and use type regs as when building a kit car. The speedo accuracy is checked on high speed rollers (up to 70mph iirc) and it is not allowed to read lower than the actual speed - ie, if the speedo says you are doing 30 - you are never doing any higher, so there is (in theory) no excuse for speeding.

[punyXpress]

. . unless you fit larger tyres?

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by 7755matt

I assume that manufacturers must abode by the same rules regarding construction and use type regs as when building a kit car. The speedo accuracy is checked on high speed rollers (up to 70mph iirc) and it is not allowed to read lower than the actual speed - ie, if the speedo says you are doing 30 - you are never doing any higher, so there is (in theory) no excuse for speeding.

When I worked for a now gone vehicle manufacturer, we would calibrate the speedo quite early in the testing of prototypes. How.

Drive down the empty motorway at selected speeds stupid o'clock in the morning, using the 100yard posts as a measure with a stop watch. Very scientific.

quite alarming to see the size of some pot holes if you are brave enough to be doing an indicated 20mph on the motorway. doubt you could do it these days as the M6 stretch we use is now busy even at stupid o'clock.