Driver Improvement Course after bike accident!!

Received a letter from the local police on Saturday saying that they wanted to offer the driver who hit me a “Driver Improvement Course” as an (cheaper) alternative to prosecution.

The course lasts one and a half days and the driver will have to pay £185. A record of attendance on the course will be kept by the DVLA for 3 years.

The letter asks for me to reply/comment within 7 days, if I don’t reply the driver will automatically be offered the course.

I just wondered what people’s thoughts were on this, prosecution obviously won’t improve the woman’s driving but I’m just wondering if the course will focus on awareness of motorcyclists/other vulnerable road users…improving observation (she didn’t see me!).

What comments would you make??

Ta for your help! Lou

Personally think it is a great way to round up the admin side of a crash. Prosecution will do nothing for the driver as he/she won't be able to learn anything from their mistakes. Quality idea if you ask me.

[G]

They often contain though provoking images of bad accidents and dead/injured people amongst other things.

Road users would benefit more if the women went on the course.

you would get more satisfaction if she got a whooping fine and conviction for dangerous driving/driving without due care and attention + points and an increased insurance cost next year.


As selfish as it is I would prefer the women to be punished and endure a larger cost, than sit on one of these courses probably half asleep getting an inclusive lunch and some time off work.

I feel like she should be punished in some way AND attend the course. Will there be any lasting consequence? Once the course has been completed will her life be the same as it was before the accident? Probably! I can see the point of the course but I get the impression that it's the cheaper, easier option...

I know I wasn't badly hurt and it could have been a lot worse but it's really knocked my confidence and I've been left with a permanent reminder of the accident as my collar bone is now sticking out of my shoulder

[the_lone_wolf]

they're asking for your comments, i doubt if they'll consider it whilst deciding what to do with her anyway...

i can't remember the exact circumstances of the accident, but i'd draw the line with whether she knew what she was doing was wrong. if someone just made an honest mistake, the course will likely make them more aware of their driving and where it doesn't meet the standard. if someone deliberately jumped a red light or ignored a one way sign and hit me the course won't do a thing as it's an attitude problem, and i'd be pushing for prosecution.

[Biker Biggles]

I think the course is a good idea.
More training for all drivers is much needed to help prevent what happened to you,and this would be a small move in that direction.Theres really no point in endless retribution against people who make unintentional errors however much that may make wronged individuals feel better.Your best option is to go for maximun financial compensation and try to move on on the back of that.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

I think the course is a good idea.
More training for all drivers is much needed to help prevent what happened to you,and this would be a small move in that direction.Theres really no point in endless retribution against people who make unintentional errors however much that may make wronged individuals feel better.Your best option is to go for maximun financial compensation and try to move on on the back of that.

+1.

If you feel she should be punished fair enough if it was deliberate. If it seems like a genuine accident then the course is probably the way forward.

Originally Posted by Bear

+1.

If you feel she should be punished fair enough if it was deliberate. If it seems like a genuine accident then the course is probably the way forward.

which is why i didnt want to take any further action with the driver that hit me, think she suffered enough knowing she had broken my leg and seeing that i was a young lady-id agree with the course route tbh.

When some numpty knocked me off, I was told that once the other chap had done his driver improvement course, if they're involved in another accident in the next 3 years they'd automatically be presecuted.

Originally Posted by graemepaterson

you would get more satisfaction if she got a whooping fine and conviction for dangerous driving/driving without due care and attention + points and an increased insurance cost next year.

As selfish as it is I would prefer the women to be punished and endure a larger cost, than sit on one of these courses probably half asleep getting an inclusive lunch and some time off work.

+1

Its all about consequence for me.