The PSNI has announced the introduction of a Speed Awareness Scheme. Road users detected breaking speed limits in Northern Ireland will be offered the one-off opportunity to go back to the classroom and improve their driving skills – rather than picking up a fine and three penalty points on their licence.
Those detected speeding and who are aged 25 years and over, will be able to attend the Speed Awareness Scheme. The four hour classroom based Speed Awareness Scheme will not be offered to drivers who exceed the speed limit excessively, or those who have attended a national speed awareness course in the past three years.
Those aged under 25 years and detected speeding will be offered the chance to complete a Young Drivers Scheme. The Young Drivers Scheme aims to target vulnerable motorists and reduce the risk of young drivers becoming involved in serious injury and fatal road traffic collisions. The scheme consists of an educational workshop and online e-learning modules.
The schemes will follow a nationally approved syllabus, and will be run by DriveTech (UK) Ltd (a subsidiary of the AA) and delivered by specially selected approved road safety specialists. Courses will be held in Omagh, Coleraine, Belfast and Newry and will cost £85 inclusive of VAT to attend, which covers the cost of administering and delivering the schemes.
Both courses aim to generate a better understanding of the consequences of speeding and raise awareness of the importance of sticking to speed limits. The courses also help drivers recognise speed limits and provide instruction on driving more carefully.
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said: “Excessive speed for the conditions is the single biggest killer of people on Northern Ireland roads. This is the final warning for those who continue to break the speed limits.”
Right To Ride’s, Trevor Baird says, “We have been in contact with the PSNI to see if the educational workshop and online e-learning modules has relevance for motorcyclists and we have been promised an invite to sit in and see for ourselves what is entailed.”
Right To Ride has received some comments, “While the courses seem set up to “catch” and educate those who are speeding just above the limits, what is missing is education for habitual speeders, those that are caught well above the speed limit who despite points, fines and bans will continue with unchanged attitudes”.
“While additional road policing patrols will now be deployed across Northern Ireland to target people who take the completely selfish decision to speed and put other people at risk, I hope the PSNI will not just be out to fill their classrooms?”
Meanwhile down South ahead of this Bank Holiday weekend Mayo County Council is running their “What’s Around The Corner” safety campaign.
The campaign includes handing out High-visibility yellow vests to bikers to make sure they can be clearly seen by other motorists, they will be distributed through motorcycle clubs in Co.Mayo.
Noel Gibbons Road Safety Officer Mayo County Council, said, “This is one part of our ongoing efforts with partners to improve safety for motorcyclists and other road users. We are also encouraging local riders to under go Motorcycle training. Motorcyclists continue to be over-represented in the fatalities and since the middle of April, four riders have lost their lives.
As the weather improves, more and more motorcyclists will take to the roads. Research indicates that the majority of motorcycle fatalities occur over the weekends and during daylight hours. Many riders are injured at junctions when vehicles pull out, others crash as a result of entering a bend too fast.”
Right To Ride’s Trevor Baird, says, “While we have some issues with the reliance and the value of high-visibility yellow vests improving the conspicuity of motorcyclists so that they are actually seen by other vehicle drivers, however we welcome the overall safety message to riders and other vehicle drivers.”
That message is, “Motorcycles are often hidden in a motorist’s blind spot or masked by backgrounds. For that reason, motorists should double-check blind spots, rearview and side mirrors before changing lanes or making turns. They don’t benefit from a protective metal environment or the stability of four wheels. But as a driver you can help keep bikers safe by remembering a few basic rules.”
“To ensure you don’t have an injury to another road user on your conscience KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR MOTORCYCLISTS.”
Right To Ride says – So save yourselves, watch your throttle, watch out for other drivers and riders!
Links
PSNI Speed Awareness – Click Here 
MAYO Road Safety – Click Here 
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