Speed awareness courses begin for Coleraine drivers

From today, speed awareness courses will be offered to drivers who are detected breaking the speed limits by just a few miles an hour.

Speaking about the new initiative, Chief Inspector Nicky Thompson 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.

“From tomorrow, additional road policing patrols will be deployed across Northern Ireland to target people who take the completely selfish decision to speed and put other people at risk.

“These new diversionary courses will re-educate speeding road users and graphically illustrate the very real dangers and consequences of breaking the speed limit.

“There is no doubt that the roads would be a much safer place if more people took heed of this advice.”

Those detected of speeding and who are aged 25 years and over, will be able to attend a Speed Awareness Scheme.

Those aged under 25 years and detected speeding will be offered the chance to complete a Young Drivers Scheme.

The four hour classroom based Speed Awareness Scheme follows 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 Coleraine, Belfast, Newry and Omagh.

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.

Drivers will pay 85 inclusive of VAT to attend each course which covers the cost of administering and delivering the schemes.