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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Car black box tackles accidents | Car black box tackles accidents |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| "Black box recorders" are being fitted to young drivers' cars in an attempt to reduce the number of accidents. | "Black box recorders" are being fitted to young drivers' cars in an attempt to reduce the number of accidents. |
| The device uses motion sensors to record when drivers brake late, take a corner too fast or swerve. | The device uses motion sensors to record when drivers brake late, take a corner too fast or swerve. |
| Warning lights appear in the car and the recorded data is put on a website accessible by drivers' parents. | Warning lights appear in the car and the recorded data is put on a website accessible by drivers' parents. |
| The scheme is being piloted in Staffordshire, where drivers aged under 25 are involved in 40% of accidents, but make up just 10% of motorists. | The scheme is being piloted in Staffordshire, where drivers aged under 25 are involved in 40% of accidents, but make up just 10% of motorists. |
| Police figures show 20% of drivers aged under 21 have an accident in their first year on the road. | Police figures show 20% of drivers aged under 21 have an accident in their first year on the road. |
| Dangerous habits | Dangerous habits |
| The county council is looking for more volunteer young drivers and their families to take part in the trial. | The county council is looking for more volunteer young drivers and their families to take part in the trial. |
| The scheme begins by establishing the motorist's driving style and drivers are only able to analyse their performance online after the first month. | The scheme begins by establishing the motorist's driving style and drivers are only able to analyse their performance online after the first month. |
| Youngsters can then have any dangerous habits coached out of their driving. | Youngsters can then have any dangerous habits coached out of their driving. |
| Road Safety Manager Adrian Hide said most newly qualified drivers think they are good drivers. | Road Safety Manager Adrian Hide said most newly qualified drivers think they are good drivers. |
| I worry sick about her when she's out in the car. I know she drives too quickly, but I don't want to be a nagging dad Malcolm Harris, Steph's father | I worry sick about her when she's out in the car. I know she drives too quickly, but I don't want to be a nagging dad Malcolm Harris, Steph's father |
| He said: "But this cunning device can graphically illustrate where they could go wrong. | He said: "But this cunning device can graphically illustrate where they could go wrong. |
| "It's important to get parents on board because they often buy and insure their offspring's first car for them. | "It's important to get parents on board because they often buy and insure their offspring's first car for them. |
| "Many go through agonies worrying about whether they are driving safely, but now they can see for themselves." | "Many go through agonies worrying about whether they are driving safely, but now they can see for themselves." |
| 'Wasn't too happy' | |
| Among the first participants are Malcolm Harris and his 18-year-old daughter Steph, from Bignall End, near Stoke-on-Trent. | |
| Ms Harris has already had one accident which left her with whiplash injuries. | Ms Harris has already had one accident which left her with whiplash injuries. |
| She said: "I admit that I drive too quickly, but I think most people my age tend to. | She said: "I admit that I drive too quickly, but I think most people my age tend to. |
| "At first I wasn't too happy about the thought that my dad could watch how I was driving, but I'm getting used to it, and it's making a real difference." | "At first I wasn't too happy about the thought that my dad could watch how I was driving, but I'm getting used to it, and it's making a real difference." |
| Mr Harris said: "I worry sick about her when she's out in the car. I know she drives too quickly, but I don't want to be a nagging dad. | Mr Harris said: "I worry sick about her when she's out in the car. I know she drives too quickly, but I don't want to be a nagging dad. |
| "This technology is wonderful because it can present her with the stark facts." | "This technology is wonderful because it can present her with the stark facts." |
| Insurance companies are also believed to be interested, with the possibility that using the device could cut premiums for people demonstrate they drive carefully. | |
| Malcolm Tarling, from the Association of British Insurers, said: "Anything we can do to encourage safer, more responsible driving is going to reduce the accident rate, reduce the claims rate and hopefully reduce premiums as well." | |
| Anyone wanting to join the scheme should contact Adrian Hide at the county council. | Anyone wanting to join the scheme should contact Adrian Hide at the county council. |