Council takes lead with ‘black box’ young driver trial
Staffordshire County Council has become the first UK local authority to introduce a ‘black box’ to improve teen driving.
As part of its Young Driver Coaching Programme, the council is installing the GreenRoad Safety Centre in 50 cars driven by local teens.
The young drivers will get instant feedback via red, amber and green LEDs in their car showing how well they are driving.
Teens and parents will also be able to log onto a web site to review each journey and those that drive well will be rewarded under a ‘safe miles’ incentive scheme.
GreenRoad Safety Centre is like a virtual driving instructor providing feedback and encouragement after young people have passed their driving test. The council is launching the initiative on May 23 but some families have already had experience of the life-saving device with positive reactions..
I think this is fantastic as once these youngster have passed their test, they either forget or dismiss anything they have learnt with their instructor. But with this scheme they are continuing to learn throughout the most vulnerable period of their driving career.
Proof of the pudding is GreenRoad users have reduced accidents by an average of 54% and lowered accident costs by an average of 65%. The trial is being launched as the Government prepares a shake-up in the L-test in a bud to reduce the number of young and novice drivers killed and injured.
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