DriveTech (UK) starts operation of UK's largest ever driver training contract - the London Speed Awareness Scheme - www.londonsas.co.uk 

7 August 2006

Motorists, caught speeding marginally above the 30mph speed limit, have today attended the first London Speed Awareness Scheme Workshops, as an alternative to receiving three penalty points on their licence and a £60 fixed penalty fine.

The London Speed Awareness Scheme contract - to provide education for a predicted 100,000 speeders per annum in the capital - was awarded to DriveTech (UK) Limited by the Metropolitan Police Service and Transport for London (TfL) in June 2006, after an intensive procurement and presentation process with a number of potential service providers. The contract is for five years.

DriveTech (UK) won the contract  by demonstrating an exemplary track record in delivering Speed Awareness Schemes in the Thames Valley and Northumbria regions. The London Speed Awareness Scheme will be at full capacity by the end of 2006, with 5 training venues across London delivering 4 Workshops, up to 7 days a week.

The Workshop lasts 2½ hours and comprises a one hour computer-based individual driver risk assessment and a 1½ hour interactive Workshop where the reasons why drivers break the speed limit are discussed as well as the real, and potential, consequences of marginal speeding. The Workshop costs £72 inc. VAT.

Research by the Department for Transport in 2004 (Mosedale & Purdy) has concluded that driving at excessive speed is a major contributing factor in 28% of fatal road accidents. Last year, 214 individuals were killed on London’s roads.

As a result, Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police Service, have introduced speed awareness Workshops for some speeding offenders as part of a long term educational strategy in a bid to influence driving behaviour.  This new initiative is part of the London Safety Camera Partnership’s (LSCP) enforcement campaign targeting those who speed and make London’s roads unsafe.

Chris Howell, DriveTech (UK)’s Chairman and Founder said “The Speed Awareness Scheme in London is clearly the largest of its kind in the UK. Creating, implementing and operating a scheme of this size, within three months of the contract being awarded, needs unbelievable focus, rigorous planning and great teamwork as well as a sizeable investment in venues, technology and people.

Driving us is our core belief that we can make a real difference by changing an individual driver’s attitude towards inappropriate and excessive speeding through high quality, focused and thought-provoking education. This, in itself, needs to be supported by a seamless Information Technology (IT) and call centre infrastructure.

EDITOR'S NOTES

Journalists wishing to observe a Speed Awareness Workshop should contact David Richards at DriveTech (UK) at david.richards@drivetech.co.uk or 01344 467271

DriveTech is the UK's leading provider of  ‘driving at work’ risk management, driver assessment and driver training solutions.

DriveTech’s goal is to reduce both an organisation’s vehicle business costs and the personal risk for ‘at work’ drivers, by significantly improving driver ABC – attitude, behaviour and competence – therefore supporting driver safety and corporate ‘duty of care’ requirements.

DriveTech (UK) has won the Institute of Transport Management’s ‘Fleet Award for Driver Training’ in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and its ‘European Driver Safety Specialist’ award in 2005.

For further information contact:
David Richards at DriveTech (UK) at david.richards@drivetech.co.uk or 01344 467271