Fresh data from the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) has shown a rise in motorists attending of a third over the past five years.
The courses, offered by police at their discretion to drivers, allow offending drivers to avoid points and a fine by taking the course.
In 2013, 1.07 million drivers undertook the course, compared with 1.45 million in 2018.
Last year the busiest course by far was the speed awareness course with 1.19 million attendees. Nearly 110,000 motorists were sent on motorway awareness courses.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “This data suggests that, astonishingly, as many as one in four drivers has now been sent back to the classroom for breaking road traffic law – hopefully to emerge as ambassadors for better, more responsible motoring behaviours.
“While the logic of sending drivers who commit minor transgressions back to the classroom is clear, it begs the question of what should be done in a similar vein to tutor those found guilty of more serious breaches of the rules of the roads before they injure or kill themselves or others?”
The courses themselves are not provided by the police but outsourced to eight private companies.
Drivers cannot attend more that one course during a three year period.
The cost of the courses varies from area to area, but for a speed awareness course a motorist can expect to pay between £75 and £99.
A spokesman for UK Road Offender Education, the organisation responsible for managing Ndors, said recent independent research showed the courses were more effective at reducing speeding over a three-year period than issuing fines and points.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
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