So yesterday I had the pleasure of doing a 'drivers awareness' course in Uttoxeter after a slight mishap and nudging over the speed limit in Stoke on trent a while ago.
Now, i've been on the UK's roads for 27 years, and do my share of miles up and down this country every day, but I learnt some things yesterday that I had no idea about.
For instance, did you know it's legal to use your phone on a handsfree device, but if you cause a crash and the phone conversation was a contributing factor, you're liable to prosecution, or prison in worst cases. How's that for confusing.
Did you also know that your reaction times are often slower whilst engaged in conversation on a phone, than someone over the drink drive limit
I also learnt a lot about 'Smart' motorways and how they are now catching and prosecuting more middle lane hoggers, and tailgaters, than speeding offences. They use a clever computer algorithm that monitors every single vehicle with sensors in the road every few yards. When you see the speed limit change on overhead gantry, this isn't from a CCTV operator, it's basically us. The computer constantly adjusts the limit depending on the conditions miles further back. This system also knows if your vehicle has dropped onto limp mode, and Red crosses the lane behind the vehicle. It detects breakdowns, people speeding, driving erratically, middle lane driving and a whole list of offences, then automatically sends the driver a penalty notice. (middle laners, that's £100 fine and 3 points) same for tailgaters.
Overall the course was actually quite interesting, and the instructors were really good, but learning stuff like this was a bonus for moron tailgating speeders like me.
Now, i've been on the UK's roads for 27 years, and do my share of miles up and down this country every day, but I learnt some things yesterday that I had no idea about.
For instance, did you know it's legal to use your phone on a handsfree device, but if you cause a crash and the phone conversation was a contributing factor, you're liable to prosecution, or prison in worst cases. How's that for confusing.
Did you also know that your reaction times are often slower whilst engaged in conversation on a phone, than someone over the drink drive limit
I also learnt a lot about 'Smart' motorways and how they are now catching and prosecuting more middle lane hoggers, and tailgaters, than speeding offences. They use a clever computer algorithm that monitors every single vehicle with sensors in the road every few yards. When you see the speed limit change on overhead gantry, this isn't from a CCTV operator, it's basically us. The computer constantly adjusts the limit depending on the conditions miles further back. This system also knows if your vehicle has dropped onto limp mode, and Red crosses the lane behind the vehicle. It detects breakdowns, people speeding, driving erratically, middle lane driving and a whole list of offences, then automatically sends the driver a penalty notice. (middle laners, that's £100 fine and 3 points) same for tailgaters.
Overall the course was actually quite interesting, and the instructors were really good, but learning stuff like this was a bonus for moron tailgating speeders like me.
