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Speedaholics Course: Tackling Speed Addiction

The document discusses a program designed for speeders, particularly motorcyclists, to address their addiction to speed and the associated risks. Participants learn about their vulnerabilities and the consequences of reckless driving, with the aim of reducing road deaths. The course serves as an alternative to receiving points on their driving license and emphasizes the importance of awareness and risk assessment.

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Michele Cristine Biancalana
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10 views1 page

Speedaholics Course: Tackling Speed Addiction

The document discusses a program designed for speeders, particularly motorcyclists, to address their addiction to speed and the associated risks. Participants learn about their vulnerabilities and the consequences of reckless driving, with the aim of reducing road deaths. The course serves as an alternative to receiving points on their driving license and emphasizes the importance of awareness and risk assessment.

Uploaded by

Michele Cristine Biancalana
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

4 READING

a Have you ever traveled very fast in a car or


on a m otorcycle? D o you know how fast you
were goin g? How did you feel?

b Loo k at the article. C an you explain the


title? R ead the article once and answ er the
questions.
1 What two alternatives are offered to
speedaholics if they are caught?
2 W hat’s the main thing that participants
learn during the course?
3 Do you think the course will make John
Earl go more slowly?

J
c Read the article again and fill in the blanks ohn Earl is 25 and addicted to speed - an intoxicating combination of
with A -E . high-powered engines, testosterone, and youth. “It's not the speed
exactly,” he says. “It’s the adrenaline. It’s the buzz you get when you go
A the speeders are asked to explain why they were
fast."
stopped and to give details of any accidents
they’ve had But if you regularly drive at 120 mph (190 kph] on a public road, sooneror
B so before leaving, each ofthem is given a metal later you’re goingto get caught, and today John is one ofa dozen speeders
attending a new program designed to cure them of their need for speed. It is
key ring engraved with a cross-section of a head
similar t o 1____. At the beginning ofthe course, the participants are asked to
inside a helmet
introduce themselves and admit that they have a problem. “Hello, my name’s
C programs used to treat addiction
John, and I’m a speedaholic."
D although other people get injured and even die,
‘It’s not goingto happen to me’ The speedaholics course is for serious and habitual offenders, and is offered
as an alternative to getting points on your license. “It is based on research into
E the class to write down their worst experience on
the attitudes of young drivers and bikers," says Chris Burgess, a psychology
the road, their potential risk areas, and what they
lecturer at Exeter University, who created the program. There are courses
need to rememberto keep themselves alive
for both ear drivers and motorcyclists. “There is an element ofaddiction in
d Look at the highlighted phrases. With a this sort of behavior,” says Burgess. “ It’s sensation-seeking, it’s taking risks,
partner, use your own w ords to say what lookingforthat buzz, but ignoringthe potentially fatal [Link] all
they mean. have the feeling th a t2____

Today’s course, which is for motorcyclists, is led by Robin Derges, a police


e W hich o f the two punishm ents for speeding
officer who is a senior investigator of road deaths and an avid biker himself.
(taking the course or getting points on your After introducingthemselves,3____. They range in age from 18 to mid-forties
license) do you think would be more and most were caught doing at least 20 mph (36 kph) overthe speed limit.
effective in your country? Why? Derges gets straight to the point. "Motorcyclists make up just 1%of all the
vehicles on the road, but 33% of all deaths and serious injuries happen to
motorcyclists. Unless something changes, if we meet up here in a year,
one of you will be dead."

Says Derges, “We want to give them a sense of their own vulnerability,
their human limitations, and to help them make a realistic assessment
ofthe risks involved. It’s not about stopping people from enjoying
riding, it’s about preventing deaths." Toward the end ofthe day,
he asks 4____ . “The problem is that people get on their bikes and
suddenly think they’re Valentino Rossi,” says John.

Standing in the parking lot at the end ofthe course, the bikers seem
Glossary to have taken everythingthey have heard very seriously. John
speed noun the rate at which something moves or travels
points on your license in the US (and many other admits, “ It’s certainly made me more aware. I know I sometimes behave
countries) ifyou commit a driving offense you may get like an idiot. But that’s not to say I won’t forget all about it in a few weeks.”
penalty points on your license. Ifyou get more than 11 Burgess knows th is ,5____ . It is to remind them of a part ofthe course that
points in 18 months (for example, in New York State), you
can be banned from driving. explained what can happen to the brain in a collision.
Valentino Rossi an Italian motorcyclist who has won
nine Grand Prix World Championships "The idea is that they will seethe key ring when they are riding and it will make
them thinktw icef says Burgess.

40 4B Adapted from The Sunday Times

Common questions

Powered by AI

The speedaholics course incorporates elements typical of addiction treatment programs by having participants admit their problem publicly (e.g., stating 'I'm a speedaholic') and reflecting on their risky behaviors and experiences. The focus is on sensation-seeking and the psychological aspect of risk-taking, resembling addiction therapy where self-awareness is a key component .

Personal admissions and group reflections help participants articulate and confront their risky behavior patterns, fostering a sense of accountability. Sharing experiences and listening to others' stories builds a communal understanding of the shared risks, thereby reinforcing the program's objective of raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and the need for behavioral change .

Punitive measures, like adding points on a license, primarily serve as deterrents without addressing underlying behavioral issues or promoting understanding of risks, potentially leading to repeat offenses. Educational interventions, on the other hand, focus on altering cognitive perspectives, enhancing understanding of consequences, and fostering long-term behavioral changes. However, their effectiveness depends greatly on participant engagement, making it critical to create compelling educational environments .

The program offers two alternatives to individuals caught speeding: attending a speedaholics course or receiving points on their driving license. The course aims to address speed addiction by making participants aware of their dangerous behavior, offering education on the risks and consequences of speeding, and providing a forum for self-reflection, whereas points on the license serve as a legal penalty without additional educational support .

The voluntary nature of the course might enhance its effectiveness as participants choosing the course over legal penalties may be more open to change, reflecting a willingness to acknowledge and amend risky behaviors. However, for those opting for the course simply to avoid points on their license, its effectiveness might be undermined if there is no genuine motivation for personal transformation .

Chris Burgess's course provides insights into speed addicts' behavior by highlighting their propensity for sensation-seeking, compulsive risk-taking, and ignoring potentially fatal consequences. The course uses research into the attitudes of young drivers and bikers to underpin its curriculum, helping participants confront their 'invulnerability' mindset and human limitations through structured reflection and risk assessment .

Long-term impacts could include heightened self-awareness regarding their driving behaviors, improved risk assessment skills, and a better understanding of personal vulnerabilities. While the immediate effect might reduce risky driving, sustaining this behavior change depends on the individual's level of engagement and how often they are reminded of their learnings, such as by the key ring .

The program for speed addicts structurally resembles other addiction treatments by including self-admission of problems, group reflections, and confronting risks — key aspects of traditional addiction therapy. Its goals align with reducing risky behavioral patterns and increasing awareness of personal limits and consequences, akin to substance addiction programs that aim to mitigate harmful behaviors through cognitive and emotional insights .

Statistical evidence is used by Robin Derges to highlight the disproportionate risk motorcyclists face on the road; despite being only 1% of vehicles, they account for 33% of road deaths and serious injuries. This stark statistic is meant to provoke a sense of vulnerability and to make the participants critically assess their riding behavior and its potential consequences .

The key ring, engraved with a cross-section of a head inside a helmet, serves as a tangible reminder of the potential brain injuries in collisions. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to invoke critical thoughts about safety whenever seen, potentially prompting riders to consider the risks before engaging in dangerous behavior. However, its long-term influence may wane as individuals might revert to habitual behavior without continued reinforcement .

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