Drivers 'pay millions' for speeding courses
Date: 29/05/2008 12:00:00
Drivers could be paying out millions of pounds in speeding course fees on top of fines, according to a report.
Motorists in Lancashire forked out £1.7 million on speed awareness courses in the space of 12 months, according to the Lancashire Evening Post.
The total was obtained using a Freedom of Information Act request and showed 19,453 of the courses were taken in Lancashire between 2005 and 2006.
Drivers groups hit out at the statistics, saying they meant the authorities were profiting from the scheme.
Quoted by the paper, a spokesman from the Association of British Drivers (ABD) said: "It is an excuse for topping up the coffers. We would like to see a body to monitor these activities."
Lancashire Police denied it or anyone else made any profit from running the courses.
Drivers usually find their
car insurance costs rise after being caught speeding and can even face a ban from driving after reaching twelve penalty points.
The ABD is a campaign group for motorists which aims to lobby the government on tax and legislation issues.