Motability black box

Peckhamboy
Peckhamboy Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

I've just received my box which I'm obliged to use due to my 26 year old being on my cars insurance

I am miffed about this because I am obliged to use it even when my son is not present but I have no choice apart from removing him from the policy.

This box records all my driving data acceleration, braking and speed all very well but its my choice.

If I was not disabled I would not have a black box.

What do you think ?

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Comments

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Community Member Posts: 3,458 Championing

    Fresh regulations take effect today for Motability drivers - with just a 10-day window to register. The new black boxes will be fitted for all motorists leasing their first vehicle or wheelchair accessible vehicle through the Motability Scheme, plus all vehicles where a driver listed on the lease is aged under 30.

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Community Member Posts: 3,458 Championing
    edited April 18

    10,000 mile driving limit and 25p per mile fine if this is gone over…..

    With a 60 minute driving limit !

    This puts a kybosh on my plans.

    How is this fair ?

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Community Member Posts: 3,458 Championing

    Also the tracker works via the drivers mobile phone - simple DO NOT TAKE YOUR PHONE or switch it off !

  • michael57
    michael57 Community Member Posts: 2,816 Championing

    And reading the rules state failing to comply over a period of time could lead to removal of the car as you will get more red flags I would not suggest its a good idea

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Community Member Posts: 3,458 Championing

    But the law says "no mobiles when driving …" so surely, they can't require phones to be left on ?

    What about those without mobiles - there are many who don't have them …

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 5,951 Championing

    There aren't many under 30 without a mobile phone.

    But for those cases they can have a conventional black box fitted instead. That one is self-contained and includes it's own SIM card to send the data without the need for a mobile phone.

  • michael57
    michael57 Community Member Posts: 2,816 Championing

    I think your overthinking it's not illegal to have a mobile phone in your car once the phone is paired with the box you do not need to touch it as for not having a mobile they would fit a different type of black box

  • ColonelBlink
    ColonelBlink Community Member Posts: 648 Pioneering

    A storm in a tea cup, why worth about it?

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Community Member Posts: 3,458 Championing

    But it's not just under 30's who have to have a black box - it's all new users - aged 17-99 !

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Community Member Posts: 3,458 Championing

    Yes - but it also breaks GDPR and privacy laws by tracking the location

  • diceman24
    diceman24 Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

    Hi I’m sure it’s for under 30s and if your new to mobility scheme not if your on already on scheme and if your already in scheme and lease runs out has long you stay with motorablilty your not classed has a new motorablilty scheme customer thank you for reading by the just read the motorablilty scheme website which it stats all what I have said

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 5,951 Championing

    The majority of which will have a mobile phone.

    And as already said, those without will get a conventional black box instead.

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Community Member Posts: 3,458 Championing
    edited April 21

    They are trying to make it appear as if Drive Smart is beneficial to disabled drivers

    "Drive Smart with the Motability Scheme

    If you are leasing your first car or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle on the Motability Scheme, or if you or one of your drivers is under 30, your lease will include Drive Smart.

    It’s designed to support mindful driving and help make the roads safer for everyone."

    When it obviously is NOT !

    Petition to try to get these changes reversed

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Community Member Posts: 3,458 Championing

    I am not yet on the scheme - but was planning to be….

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 5,951 Championing

    How is it 'obviously not' beneficial? If it makes people drive more carefully and considerately, that's better for everyone on the road.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,721 Championing
    edited April 21

    I've been reading some worrying reports of Motability customers being red flagged for driving on the wrong side of the road (there were roadworks and driver was following the correct diversion), and a trip around Tesco on foot being recorded as a car journey and counting towards the inclusive mileage.

    This suggests the technology isn't yet fit for purpose.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 5,951 Championing

    That's interesting to know. I assume it was a dual carriageway? Otherwise it'd be flagging every parked car overtake on a normal road. I didn't realise the nav data was so accurate to one lane width either, which again suggests dual carriageway.

    I don't think that's actually a bad thing though. It's not that uncommon for people to use the wrong slip road and end up driving the wrong way on dual carriageways here. It's terrifying when you come face to face with one, as I have done!

    In a case like this, where there was a diversion in place, there just needs to be an appeals process, so that the driver doesn't get penalised for it. I don't think being flagged for it in the first place is a problem. I don't know whether there is currently an easily accessible appeals process in place?

    Regarding walking around Tesco being classed as driving, that clearly needs some work. If the app itself proves to be unreliable like this, then I can see them just using the conventional black boxes for every driver instead. Those have been around for decades. There is still the odd anomoly with them, but generally they're reliable.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,721 Championing
    edited April 21

    There was no mention of it being a dual carriageway.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 5,951 Championing

    Thank you for confirming. That is very strange!

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,721 Championing
    edited April 21

    The post was made here 2 days ago.

    https://m.facebook.com/Disabilityadvocatesuk/