Young drivers in Britain are being offered a novel type of vehicle insurance to keep costs down - an idea that could also help new drivers in South Africa.
Young drivers could have more affordable insurance premiums through an innovative new scheme from
Norwich Union, Britain's biggest vehicle insurer, has launched Pay As You Drive youngsters aged 18-21. It uses in-car technology to calculate premiums - based on when and how often they drive.
The black-box device fits discreetly in a car and uses global positioning satellite technology - the same as that used for vehicle navigation systems - to record journeys.
The data is transmitted to the insurer through the cellphone network and premiums are then calculated in a way similar to that of celltariffs.
Drivers can control premiums by driving mainly during "off-peak" times - 6am-11pm - rather than "peak" 11pm-6am.
Tariffs have been calculated based on accident statistics for the 18-21 age bracket that show youngsters are at much greater risk of being killed or seriously injured in a crash between 11pm and 6am.
Reflecting the time of day in the cost not only makes insurance premiums more affordable but also deters younger motorists from driving at night when conditions are less safe.