Motability withdraws compulsory black boxes after criticism from drivers

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Keron Day

Motability drivers will no longer need to have a black box fitted to their vehicles following criticism from users affected by the rule changes.

The Motability scheme – through which certain disability benefits can be exchanged for a lease on a vehicle – had made the boxes compulsory for new leaseholders and drivers aged under 30 in April.

The boxes are designed to track and regularly rate a user’s driving habits, such as speed and braking, with repeated poor ratings potentially leading to drivers being removed from the scheme.

Motability boss Andrew Miller said the programme had been introduced to help reduce accidents and manage insurance costs, but had been paused over users’ “anxiety” and concerns.

Drivers have reported the app was inconsistent, did not understand their driving adaptations, and that the rules and guidelines were confusing and restrictive.

Now those who were enrolled with the “Drive Smart” programme will be taken off it from 22 May, Motability said.

The changes had been criticised by actor and disability rights campaigner Keron Day, who thanked Motability bosses for “recognising the seriousness of the issues for disabled people’s lives”.

Day, who appeared in the hit Netflix show Sex Education, has cerebral palsy and uses a specially adapted wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV).

The car has a steering aid and indicators on the floor, as well as buttons for lights, wipers, gears and the handbrake.

He campaigned alongside West Cornwall MP Andrew George to reverse the decision for compulsory black boxes. The pair met Motability bosses to discuss the issue last week.

Andrew George

Motability CEO said: “Drive Smart was introduced to help reduce accidents, improve driving and, in turn, manage insurance costs, while keeping all the scheme’s insurance features in place.”

Miller went on: “But we have listened carefully to customer feedback and recognise that the experience was not where it needed to be.

“That is why we have decided to pause Drive Smart while we work with customers to understand how it can be improved.”

Black boxes monitor driving habits and can provide a weekly rating graded using a traffic light colour scheme.

A green rating could mean cheaper insurance, but more than four red ratings over a period of 12 months could see drivers removed from the Motability scheme.

George and Day had criticised Motability for imposing an “invasive telematics tracking technology” without proper consultation or adequate safeguards in place.

George said: “I must congratulate Motability CEOs for listening and being prepared to change policy when confronted with the impact this scheme has had on thousands of disabled people.

“Keron and I are keen that they make some major changes before deciding how they will better manage the difficult insurance challenges faced by the scheme.”

Motability said it would continue to review the programme and was also creating a new customer panel to allow users to help shape how Drive Smart develops.

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