Which speed awareness course

[djneils98]

I have to book a SA course and have the choice of going to a physical location that's only 5 mins away from my house or doing it virtually via teams.
If I choose the virtual option I can choose from 1 of 4 providers - Suffolk Council,, Essex Highways, Drivetech or HCC.
Does anyone have any recent experience of any of these?

[Bigends]

Might as well go the physical meeting if only a few minutes away.

[Red Devil]

Defintely go in person if only for the entertainment value. It's much more fun watching a live performance than through a monitor
The number of people who don't have a clue about the different speed limits depending on the type of road, type of vehicle, and whether a trailer is being towed is astonishing.

[Mr Tidy]

I chose Drivetech because they seem to be based in Basingstoke which is pretty close to me.

But when I called they didn't have any physical courses planned for ages, and they weren't in Basingstoke anyway!

So I did mine online and was pretty glad I did because I didn't have to go out in December and spend time travelling, and I could have a cuppa while I did it.

[djneils98]

Mr Tidy said:

I chose Drivetech because they seem to be based in Basingstoke which is pretty close to me.

But when I called they didn't have any physical courses planned for ages, and they weren't in Basingstoke anyway!

So I did mine online and was pretty glad I did because I didn't have to go out in December and spend time travelling, and I could have a cuppa while I did it.

how long did it take?

[The Gauge]

Red Devil said:

Defintely go in person if only for the entertainment value. It's much more fun watching a live performance than through a monitor
The number of people who don't have a clue about the different speed limits depending on the type of road, type of vehicle, and whether a trailer is being towed is astonishing.

Is that the opinion of someone who teaches the courses or who got caught speeding themselves?

[megaphone]

When I did one a few years back some of the commercial providers wanted a lot of personal information when I tried to book. I went with one provided by a local council, they just needed the reference numbers etc.

I'd always choose online, you can sit inconspicuously in a darkened room and stay out of it as much as you want to, although they will try and get you involved at some point. Sitting in a lecture room with others is not my idea of fun, unless you want a day out.

Edited by megaphone on Sunday 13th October 10:13

[Dog Star]

megaphone said:

I'd always choose online, you can sit inconspicuously in a darkened room and stay out of it as much as you want to, although they will try and get you involved at some point. Sitting in a lecture room with others is not my idea of fun, unless you want a day out.

I did an in person one (I don’t want to risk zoom/teams in case it craps out and I get three points) at Walsden Cricket Club near Todmorden.

I can honestly say that it was really good - I genuinely enjoyed it. It was mostly down to the compere and his sidekick, genuinely nice guys who got people involved. Tea/coffee and biscuits too.

[Sheepshanks]

Wife did one online recently. Seemed a complete joke - logged in at 9 and it took an hour to register everyone, then 45 mins of something or other, then a 15 min break, then another 30 mins and they were finished.

[djneils98]

many thanks to the folks that have replied so far with their experiences - please keep them coming!

[reddiesel]

I did the Drivetech one in Milton Keynes a few weeks back . 3pm start time and out by 5.45 .To be honest I was completely dreading it having done one some years back in Bedford which went on nearly all day and hampered by the usual idiots anxious to tell everyone of their driving experiences .
This by contrast was both informative and even entertaining and I genuinely recommend it .

[shtu]

reddiesel said:

having done one some years back in Bedford which went on nearly all day and hampered by the usual idiots anxious to tell everyone of their driving experiences.

What were their PH usernames?

[Mr Tidy]

djneils98 said:

Mr Tidy said:

I chose Drivetech because they seem to be based in Basingstoke which is pretty close to me.

But when I called they didn't have any physical courses planned for ages, and they weren't in Basingstoke anyway!

So I did mine online and was pretty glad I did because I didn't have to go out in December and spend time travelling, and I could have a cuppa while I did it.

how long did it take?

I think it was about a and a half hours, but there was a 10 minute break in the middle to make another cuppa!

TBH I think a physical one might have taken longer if you get someone who liked the sound of their voice.

[djneils98]

ok so I've looked into my options a little more deeply and it turns out the only times that really suit me (basically weekends) and a physical course in a town 50mins drive away or a virtual one on the weekend between xmas and new year. Think it will be the latter option

[cobra kid]

I did mine online 9 days ago. Much easier that way. Learnt a fair bit and it took about 2.5 hours all in with the break.

[Red9zero]

Sheepshanks said:

Wife did one online recently. Seemed a complete joke - logged in at 9 and it took an hour to register everyone, then 45 mins of something or other, then a 15 min break, then another 30 mins and they were finished.

Sounds like the one I did. I'm no PH driving god, but I seemed to be the only one who knew any of the answers to the questions. I even noticed a hazard on the hazard perception part that the lady running the course hadn't seen. I have to assume the others didn't know the answers and weren't just keeping their heads down, as you have to show some engagement, otherwise you will be classed as failing the course.

[megaphone]

cobra kid said:

I did mine online 9 days ago. Much easier that way. Learnt a fair bit and it took about 2.5 hours all in with the break.

Out of interest, what did you learn?

[cobra kid]

megaphone said:

cobra kid said:

I did mine online 9 days ago. Much easier that way. Learnt a fair bit and it took about 2.5 hours all in with the break.

Out of interest, what did you learn?

About how to tell speed limits on different roads with no signage. It's been 33 years since I opened a highway code book.

Little bits about long distance anticipation.

"20 mph when lights are flashing" signs outside schools with no red circles - you can't get done for speeding up to 30.

[Glassman]

I've been on two courses and would, if given the choice, opt to attend.

You get lumped in with an eclectic mix of people but it can get a bit tedious at times, especially when the moaners start questioning the law (but it passes the time). My first was at Hatfield Uni and about 30 in attendance; Second was at a golf club in Mill Hill which, I have to say, was a bit of a piss boiler because of the 'supporting act'. He came in to explain repeater signs and gateway signs (which was quite educational) but ruined by his overzealous shouting at the dumbos who gave the wrong answers to his quickfire questioning. English wasn't his first language and after while it became a problem understanding him when he went left the calm script to ad-lib in a loud and aggressive manner.

[Red9zero]

cobra kid said:

About how to tell speed limits on different roads with no signage.

I gave the dhead answer to start with - "It`s on my HUD" Although I did give the correct answer afterwards. I was surprised the instructor wasn't aware of such tech though.