Missing road safety course is an expensive mistake for Bristol student

A former UWE student learned the hard way that time is money after turning up two minutes late for a road safety course.

Andreas Kyriacou was left out of pocket and with three points on his licence after narrowly missing the start of a Speed Choice workshop in Bristol.

Mr Kyriacou was fuming when he was barred entry having travelled almost three hours from London to attend the three-hour course.

He was given the opportunity of taking the course after being caught travelling at 34mph in a 30mph limit on Falcondale Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, in September.

Drivers are offered the chance to attend the workshop as alternative to three penalty points on their licence, providing they complete the course within 120 days of the offence.

But the course was the last one that Mr Kyriacou could attend within the 120-day period so his licence was endorsed.

The 21-year-old claims he left plenty of time for the journey but was sent a poor map for directions.

He left North London at 11.15am and arrived at Kings Weston House in Kings Weston at 2.02pm, two minutes after the course was due to start.

Mr Kyriacou, who was awarded a first in property management and investment at UWE, said he was turned away by a female member of staff with a form saying he arrived at 2.05pm before returning to speak to someone senior.

"He just took the form off me and changed it to 2.02pm and asked if I was satisfied now," he said.

"I said no because I wanted to take part in the workshop.

"He just held the form in front of me. I didn't put my hand out and he just dropped the forms on the floor in front of me, told me I was becoming a nuisance, and turned his back on me and walked away.

"I just can't understand the arrogance of the man. It was only two minutes – why would they be so petty? I had travelled nearly three hours from London to be there so I was obviously serious about taking part.

"What is the message they are trying to give me. They would rather someone they believe needs educating about their driving walks away and just takes the points and remains a bad driver? That seems the wrong attitude to have."

Speed Choice education development manager Richard Fairhurst said attendees must turn up 15 minutes before the course starts so in reality Mr Kyriacou was 17 minutes late.

"The member of staff involved refutes throwing the letter on the floor," Mr Fairhurst said.

"I am afraid that Mr Kyriacou was at the end of the 120-day period so will have three points put on his licence.

"I am afraid he is the victim of his own actions. We would far rather people sat the course but we have to have rules."

The ins and outs of Speed Choice: Individuals can only attend one workshop within a three-year period and must pay £60. Drivers are only eligible for the course if they are caught doing a maximum of 39mph in a 30mph zone or running a red light. Higher speeds mean obligatory points on their licence.