THE Government should link its pay-as-you-drive scheme with crime-prevention measures to ensure it is accepted by motorists, it has been suggested.

Executives at claims management specialist WNS Assistance believe the plans will be seen as fairer if they deal with a host of road issues at the same time, including speeding up motor insurance claims by using black-box technology to drivers’ advantage.

Managing director Tim Rankin is urging the Government to collaborate with the fleet industry to ensure the black boxes installed in cars to calculate the mileage driven are used to provide vital information that would speed insurance claims settlement.

He added that another potential benefit would involve the technology providing precise geographical information for roadside recovery following an accident or breakdown.

Rankin said: ‘If these plans go ahead, then the Government must link a number of highly desirable objectives to the application of the satellite technology. One potential benefit of the scheme, for instance, is that it could provide vital accident information on the date, time and speed involved in any road accident, ensuring a quicker and fairer resolution of any claim, particularly where a third party is involved. Motorists could also benefit significantly from a speedier roadside recovery.

‘The black boxes in each vehicle would also provide a major disincentive to vehicle thieves if they were linked to the latest tracking technology. This might also make them more acceptable to fleets.

‘The pay-as-you-drive plans should also offer major discounts to greener vehicles, delivering clear environmental benefits in the process.’