I feel I must reply to Andrew Martin’s letter in your Echo on Wednesday, August 20 con-cerning bad drivers.

I have been driving for 40 odd years without any major convictions but due to my own silly mistake I had a notice come through the post to say I was speeding along Wessex Way near Poole.

I had the choice to pay a £100 fine and three points on my licence or pay £110 and do the awareness course which I have completed.

This is a three-hour course which is not offered by all police forces so I thank Dorset Police for running these courses as it really opened my eyes.

It taught me a lot not just about speeding but other issues of the road and it has taught me to adhere to all speed limits.

So for Mr Martin to say they are a waste of time is not true. They do work, and these courses are not funded by the taxpayer. The offenders pay.

Peter Dear, Address supplied