NIP Advice

[Dieselman]

As an advanced driver trainer I get regular offers to do teach these courses at good money but I won't do them because I don't agree with the content. Will 4 hours of preaching the stats make you a better driver? No it won't, will a structured workshop and practical make you a better driver? definitely. It's not about improving driver ability its about money.

Weird.

I did one and it was very informative virtually no stats were given. It covered topics on how to be aware what speed limit you were in and how to be observant of dangers.

 

[paul73mt]

as far as i'm aware, not every county offers the option of an awareness course in place of points. If you have the choice this time go for no points in case you don't have the choice next time!

+1

 

[flango]

Weird.

I did one and it was very informative virtually no stats were given. It covered topics on how to be aware what speed limit you were in and how to be observant of dangers.

Not around here I'm afraid what you describe is what should be in a course IMHO SWMBO did one and tore the presenters to shreds even their basic knowledge of the stats and procedures was wrong, wish i'd have been there for that one, now wasting 4 hours of her time is a criminal offence

 

[Rory]

Weird.

I did one and it was very informative virtually no stats were given. It covered topics on how to be aware what speed limit you were in and how to be observant of dangers.

I've never done one, but my daughter (36 in a 30 from a hidden camera) and plenty of friends and colleagues have – the one comment that crops up regularly is it makes you realise how clueless most other drivers are. On the one my daughter was on, a couple of the attendees could barely move and she was amazed they were able to drive. A van driver (his full-time job) seemed astonished that speed limits are different for vans.

It’s a bit like defensive driver training we did at work. I thought it was interesting, but didn’t learn anything. Some of the guys thought it was awesome, but Goodness knows how some of them passed their tests in the first place - one was told he was a danger to himself and other road-users!

 

[Dieselman]

It’s a bit like defensive driver training we did at work. I thought it was interesting, but didn’t learn anything. Some of the guys thought it was awesome, but Goodness knows how some of them passed their tests in the first place - one was told he was a danger to himself and other road-users!

A very similar crowd were in attendance on the course I did.

 

[Rory]

Not around here I'm afraid what you describe is what should be in a course IMHO SWMBO did one and tore the presenters to shreds even their basic knowledge of the stats and procedures was wrong, wish i'd have been there for that one, now wasting 4 hours of her time is a criminal offence

A colleague challenged something on a course and was told he'd be asked to leave. I've seen several reports that they'll fail you if you don't acquiess. You then go through the normal court process.

 

[Druk]

Chatting to them they advised me that they tend to ignore the first speeding offence (I guess as long as it's not 138mph).

138mph . Who in their right mind would a thing like that?

 

[Dieselman]

A colleague challenged something on a course and was told he'd be asked to leave. I've seen several reports that they'll fail you if you don't acquiess. You then go through the normal court process.

As far as I know they have no problem with constructive criticism, but if attendees just want to be belligerent then they will be asked to leave.

 

[DSM10000]

Not wisihing to hijack this thread but thought it may be of interest!

I received a NIP on Monday of this week for travelling at 38mph in a 30mph zone 10 days ago in Guildford in "my" Saab 9-5.

The reason I say "my" Saab is that I scrapped this car last December and used a company approved by and registered with the DVLA.

I have an invoice from the company given to me on collection, I also have my own timed and dated receipt that I asked the driver to sign upon collection and a certificate of destruction issued to me by the company (by email) the day after collection.

Of course mistakes are made and hopefully easily sorted out

 

[Spinal]

Same here... but the real shocker on the one I did wasn't the crowd, it was the instructor.

We were brought out for an "awareness drive" where the instructor took 2 people out and showed them what an appropriate speed felt like.

I've rarely been so scared sitting in a car, doing 60mph on a country lane with blind turns. A road I wouldn't have done 40mph on, he was zipping past. Utterly terrifying.

M.

 

[the zacster]

I'd be inclined to go for the SAC. Its actually a pretty decent course (and well worth a few hours of your time) and, if you speak to your insurer (particularly given your exemplary record to date), they may not charge you any premium. I was caught doing 34 in a 30 about 12 months ago and went on the course; I then called my insurer, threatened to move if they increased my premium, and they didn't charge (but its on my policy so they have no 'get out of paying' option should I ever need to claim).

 

[BTB 500]

I've never done one, but my daughter (36 in a 30 from a hidden camera) and plenty of friends and colleagues have – the one comment that crops up regularly is it makes you realise how clueless most other drivers are.

My wife made the same observation after doing hers. They did a quiz on speed limits and she was the only person who knew the answers ... and she's German!

 

[Dieselman]

Same here... but the real shocker on the one I did wasn't the crowd, it was the instructor.

We were brought out for an "awareness drive" where the instructor took 2 people out and showed them what an appropriate speed felt like.

I've rarely been so scared sitting in a car, doing 60mph on a country lane with blind turns. A road I wouldn't have done 40mph on, he was zipping past. Utterly terrifying.

M.

Was his name Ian?

 

[Spinal]

Was his name Ian?

Would love to tell you, but I can't remember as it was a fair few years ago...

The course was right next to Costco in north London, held out of a conference room in a small hotel.

I got caught right in front of the police sport grounds, a day after they changed the speed limit on the road from 40 to 30. In all fairness, I hadn't noticed the new speed limit signs as I knew the road, so I had effectively switched my brain off.

Fool me once...
M.

 

[Dieselman]

Would love to tell you, but I can't remember as it was a fair few years ago...

It was a jest. Was it Flania1?

 

[Spinal]

You know, suddenly my memory is clearing up; that does ring a bell

 

[E55BOF]

Who is this woman Flania you have just introduced? Why is there only one of her? I think we should be told...

 

[WestcoastJim]

Ask to see the photographic evidence if you think you never travelled that road on that day, a few years back my wife got a notice for jumping a red light in Glasgow city centre, Shes has never took her car to the city centre in her life when she challenged it the Reg number they had was different from her's a typo errror.

 

[AnimMerc]

I believe you can ask for the photos but if your police force/justice system is anything like mine you have not got a chance.

I ended up taking it to court as I couldn't recall driving and speeding at 37mph in a 30mph zone. At court the police did not produce any calibration certificate, there was no photographic evidence and I was not told it would even go to court until I received my summons even though I made a request for these.

Despite the above the magistrates were not interested in what I had to say and I ended up getting 6 points and £600 combined fine and charges. I did not appeal as they clearly can do what they want (I say that from many past experiences) and although legally you are given the option to dispute it, this is a ruse unless you have £100's to spend on a solicitor.

I wasn't even given the option to attend the course and pay £90 in the first instance. I now have 6 points on an otherwise clean licence from Jan 2012.

Just do the course and pay the £90.

 

[flango]

It was a jest. Was it Flania1?

You know, suddenly my memory is clearing up; that does ring a bell

Who is this woman Flania you have just introduced? Why is there only one of her? I think we should be told...

Can't have been me If I'd have took you out on a high speed country road drive, you'd still be in rehab I've been up to some serious speed on country roads, quite legally I may add

WOMAN, WOMAN you've obviously never been on one of our beer and curry nights then :fail