Black box tech for young drivers

27 January 2012
An innovative plan could result in new drivers in Northern Ireland having their driving performance linked to the cost of their insurance policy

Aeroplane-style black boxes could be fitted into new drivers' cars to measure driver performance with the view to cutting the cost of insurance premiums in Northern Ireland.

The black boxes would monitor driver performance, including speed and braking, and then link to Pay How You Drive insurance products that would take into account the data from the technology. Under the plan evidence of good driving would result in lower premiums while reckless behaviour would lead to cancelled policies.

The soaring cost of insurance premiums is a particular problem in Northern Ireland where premiums are 11% higher than the rest of the Britain and up to 70% higher in rural areas.

Insurers say that drivers under the age of 25 are much riskier to insure and almost one in five new drivers are involved in a collision within their first six months of driving. This means that insurance premiums are typically more expensive for young drivers but this is not always the case with other products such as breakdown cover .

Department of Environment minister Alex Attwood said that his department has been exploring ways of reducing premiums with local insurance companies.

Copyright Press Association 2012