Over a couple of days in February thirty seven drivers were caught exceeding the 30mph speed limit in Oare on the A345. Did they need to be caught? Yes. Did they need to be speeding? No.
Several were exceeding 50mph and others were just exceeding the limit, but not by enough (and without ‘history’ of similar offences) to warrant a ticket and three points. They were offered a ‘speed awareness’ course whereas for others it was three points and a fine of £100. A couple of offending drivers even received court summons so maybe their achievement in breaking the Oare 30mph limit will be a reward far greater than just three points and £100 fine.
Oare sits on the Marlborough – Pewsey road, the A345. It’s a small residential village with only a limited stretch of pavement so pedestrians of all ages will have to walk along the road carriageway. Hence it is an area of hazards and somewhere for drivers to take care and observe the prevailing speed limit.
But will exceeding the speed limit in Oare get you to either Marlborough or Pewsey (depending in which direction you are going) any quicker? Probably not. But you may end up out of pocket (fined) and with a greater insurance premium (points – always have to be declared to the insurance co) and wait four years for these to be expunged from the licence, although Insurance cos. demand that any points incurred within five years be declared. And if you’ve got several points already, nine or even more, the likelihood is that your licence will be taken away for six months or even longer.
There is a way to reduce the likelihood of getting done for any speeding offence and also to make your driving safer. And this doesn’t necessarily mean that you become a slower driver, making any A to B journey longer. Rather it means that you probably become a safer driver, more aware of all hazards (speed limits included) and less likely to have an accident. Which should help financially by reducing garage bills, fines and Insurance premiums.
No guarantees ever about how anyone drives, but venturing down the Advanced Driver route can pay dividends. The training and tuition can make a big difference, it can really help. It can make any driver more aware, as it can improve levels of skill and technique, but that doesn’t mean any journey takes longer. Just that it’s likely to be safer and less likely to incur penalty on the way. Also you, as a driver, can enjoy driving more.
How? The Institute of Advanced Motoring can help. They offer many ways towards being less likely to get a speeding conviction, or worse. As an example, a ‘Managing Speed’ course which will provide far more (and better) advice than ‘don’t drive so fast’. Hazard awareness, driving techniques (and bad habits), all helped by a one-to-one session with a skilled tutor.
If that inspires then maybe look towards training to achieve an Advanced Driver qualification and then beyond. For Bikers, IAM can provide the same but the biker community in the local RoSPA group (Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents) is stronger and more active than the IAM biking group in this area.
Such advice and training should help any driver. To become a safer driver, better driver, a no-less-fast driver but above all, one who is far more aware of what they are doing on the road when behind the wheel.
When next driving through Oare? 30mph and look out for anyone else on the road. Do this and you won’t arrive in Marlborough or Pewsey any later than you would have done otherwise, but maybe with a better future bank balance and cleaner licence.
Coffee Shop Manager – St Peter’s, Marlborough
