11 October 2006

Speed Awareness Courses launched by Kent Police and local Highway Authorities

In a scheme to re-educate marginal offenders, motorists in Kent and Medway caught exceeding the speed limit are now being offered the opportunity to attend a Speed Awareness Course as an alternative to a sixty pound fixed penalty fine and three points on their driving licence.

From October drivers detected speeding in Kent and Medway, whose offences fall within set criteria, will be given the option of paying to attend a one-day course. Those found to be exceeding the speed limit above the set criteria will not be eligible for the course and will be dealt with via the fixed penalty or court process.

The courses, which are being offered by Kent Police in partnership with Kent County Council and Medway Council, began on 3 October at Aylesford Rugby Club and will be rolled out to other venues around the county.

The aim of the course is to change the driver’s attitude towards speed by examining why they exceed the speed limit and to develop coping strategies.

Each course provides five and a half hours of training and consists a of two and a half hour theory session followed by three hours of practical in-car tuition with an Approved Driver Trainer. If an individual fails to attend the course or does not satisfy the course conditions, the offence will be referred to the police for processing.

Inspector Mark Flight, from Kent Police’s traffic department added: ”Changing drivers’ attitudes towards speeding can only help to make the roads of Kent and Medway safer for everyone. All too often we see the serious or fatal consequences of speeding. These awareness courses will be an eye opener for drivers who attend.”

For further details about speed awareness please contact Kent County Council 08458 247 800 or Kent Police on 01622 690690.