Black box

A dashboard black box that moni­tors motorists’ performance is being used to make novice drivers safer behind the wheel.

Staffordshire County Council has become the first local authority in the country to pilot the device. It works by measuring how hard the car accelerates and brakes, and the G-force created through corners.

The data is uploaded automatic­ally on to the Internet, and a traffic light system shows how safe the youngster’s driving is. The more red lights show, the more likely they are to be involved in an accident.

Results can be monitored by par­ents and road safety experts, and novices can then have dangerous habits coached out of their driving. Staffordshire road safety manager Adrian Hide said: “Most new drivers think they are good. This graphically illustrates where they go wrong.” He added that other councils are watching the initiative with interest.