It is well documented that speed, or inappropriate speed contributes to a significant percentage of all crashes and a higher percentage of more serious crashes. It is estimated that in a year excessive and inappropriate speed kills around 1,200 people and injures over 100,000 more; this is the largest contributor to casualties on the road.

Following the success of the National Driver Improvement Course, the Department for Transport (DfT), in an attempt to further reduce the appalling number of casualties on UK roads has approved the acclaimed National Speed Awareness Course.

This scheme will allow the Police Service to divert low-end speeding motorists to education as opposed to the Fixed Penalty System.

Any driver who is detected driving at the speed identified as suitable in a force area and who has not previously attended a course within a 3 year period, will be offered a course in the area where the offence is committed. Course dates are given well in advance.

The fee payable to the Service Provider is currently £79.50 in Greater Manchester (but may vary throughout the country), for the 4-hour course.  

This fee is payable prior to attending. The Course is delivered by specialist Department for Transport Approved Driving Instructors. The Course is a combination of listening to information and group discussion.

After attending and successfully completing the course, the driver/rider will be notified by the relevant Police Authority that no further action will be taken for this particular incident. The date of course completion is recorded and held on a national database. If the driver/rider is involved in another speeding offence falling under the same criteria within 3 years of the originial offence, a second course will not be offered in lieu of proceedings.

Once a driver/rider has accepted the offer to attend a course, but then fails to attend or successfully complete, the Service Provider is compelled to notify the relevant Police Authority. The case would then be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service and ultimately be dealt with by the Magistrates Court.

The National Speed Awareness Course has been put in place to give offenders who drive in excess of the speed limit the opportunity to attend a driver re-education course on the effects and dangers of speeding. The course gives a driver an option of attending a Speed Awareness Course as an alternative to the Fixed Penalty System of a fine and penalty points endorsed on their licence.

A list of areas offering the scheme can be found on the NADIP website.

A group of clients on a Speed Awareness Course

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