Black Box

aardvaak

I have just seen on the back of a mini "Black Box Fitted".


Is there really such a thing fitted to a car or are they just having a laugh?

worried_jim

Insurance black box perhaps?

https://www.admiral.com/black-box-insurance

AdrianC

aardvaak wrote: »

I have just seen on the back of a mini "Black Box Fitted".

"Wah! It's so unfair that I have to drive considerately and legally!"

Is there really such a thing fitted to a car or are they just having a laugh?

Insurance black boxes have been around for a decade or so, and are common on policies for young drivers or those with abysmal records. They're usually a GPS receiver and a mobile SIM, and simply record speeds and lateral acceleration, reporting back to the insurer on how the driving matches certain criteria - speed limits, harsh cornering, harsh braking etc. They may also enforce curfews. Good score, reduced premiums. Bad score, increased premiums or policy cancellation.

DoaM

Insurer's like Aviva do a similar thing but as a phone app rather than a dedicated black box.

beckysheffield

I would love to have one of these boxes .... would slow me right down on the motorway.

RichardD1970

aardvaak wrote: »

I have just seen on the back of a mini "Black Box Fitted".


Is there really such a thing fitted to a car or are they just having a laugh?

I also saw a Mini with the same on the back, for the first time, yesterday. You don't live by me do you?

I suppose it's intended to notify (impatient) drivers behind that they are driving like they are for a reason. :rotfl:

Richard53

RichardD1970 wrote: »

I suppose it's intended to notify (impatient) drivers behind that they are driving like they are for a reason. :rotfl:

Like the old 'Running In Please Pass' signs? You don't see those any more. I can't remember the last time I saw one.

DoaM

Richard53 wrote: »

Like the old 'Running In Please Pass' signs? You don't see those any more. I can't remember the last time I saw one.

New vehicles tend not to need much in the way of "running in" these days.

GunJack

Richard53 wrote: »

Like the old 'Running In Please Pass' signs? You don't see those any more. I can't remember the last time I saw one.

Isn't that most VWs until they've done about 70k miles?? :rotfl:

Gloomendoom

aardvaak wrote: »

I have just seen on the back of a mini "Black Box Fitted".


Is there really such a thing fitted to a car or are they just having a laugh?

Apparently, there's a non-insurance evident data recorder fitted to my car.

If I remember correctly, acouple of years ago, evidence from one taken from a similar car after a fatal crash was used to convict the driver.

https://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/car-black-box-recorders-capture-crash-data.html

bigisi

beckysheffield wrote: »

I would love to have one of these boxes .... would slow me right down on the motorway.

There's something far more effective to do this, it's free and goes with you wherever you go regardless.

Your right foot.