First time car cover news - New driver car insurance and Swindon sensor trial

Traffic news - New driver car insurance holders may see sensor trial in Swindon

New driver car insurance holders, as well as law-abiding experienced motorists, may be pleased to hear that a new anti-speeding traffic light system is being trialled in the UK.

The system, currently being tested in Swindon, comprises of a sensor connected to a set of traffic lights via a control box.

The sensor is placed at a certain distance from the lights, and sends a message to them when it records a vehicle driving above the road's speed limit.

The signal makes the traffic lights turn red in an attempt to stop the driver and, hopefully, deter them from speeding in the future, whether they are first time car insurance holders or motorists with years of experience.

Swindon councillor, Peter Greenhalgh, who is responsible for planning and transport, states, "I have been talking about this with my team for about two years. I have seen it in Spain and France and it seems to work really well and couldn't see why we were not doing it in the UK.

"It is an intelligent way of managing traffic flows and ensuring that cars drive in a safe manner."

However, the director of the RAC Foundation said, "We welcome trials of technologies other than cameras to deter speeding drivers and this sort of system is already extensively used in Spain and Portugal.

"But will the odd red light be enough of a deterrent to change the behaviour of persistent offenders? Some law-abiding motorists will surely be irritated at being stuck at the signals behind an errant driver, effectively paying the price for someone else's law breaking."

Whether the system comes into effect after the trials or not, new driver car insurance holders and all other road users should always keep to the speed limit to reduce the risk of an accident.