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Gloucestershire Business News

Speed awareness courses going virtual

Drivers caught breaking speed limits could be the next group to take part in online tuition in a bid to reduce a waiting list for speed awareness courses.

Coronavirus lockdown restrictions have seen a sharp rise in virtual classrooms, be that home schooling, fitness classes and now driving.

Speed awareness courses stopped in classrooms on March 20 and there is now a waiting list of around 1,700 - and growing.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire Martin Surl said: "Speeding while the roads have been quieter has been one of the most disappointing and dangerous aspects of lockdown.

"Motorists who disregard the law and other road users must know that if they are caught, they will be held to account.

"Speed awareness courses play an important role in making our roads safer."

Trials related to motorways, speed and other driving habits have been carried out online and the final touches are being added to a speed awareness course run by the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme.

David Hawker, the manager responsible for driver education in Gloucestershire, said: "We piloted trials in late May with 60 or so clients.

"The feedback has been universally positive and has encouraged us to extend the programme and to have more of our presenters trained to deliver them.

"We have now booked an additional 300 or so clients with more booking daily."

He continued: "Everyone who has been offered driver education will be offered the online alternative until the classroom alternative can be safely delivered with updated government guidelines."

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