Telematics encourage safer driving

23 Nov 2011

Britain's young drivers are being encouraged to drive more safely thanks to the introduction of telematics technology, according to The Co-operative Insurance. More than a third of drivers are driving in an ‘excellent' way, with a small proportion guilty of ‘poor' driving.

Launched earlier this year, the Young Driver scheme measures a number of driving behaviours, such as cornering and speed. Behaviours are scored from one to five (poor to excellent respectively) with premium discounts for those who score well on a consistent basis. At present 97% of male drivers have received discounts, slightly ahead of women, of whom 92% have earnt a discount.

According to director of General Insurance, David Neave, the figures showed that motorists were responded to the firm's ‘carrot' approach. Yesterday ABI Director General Otto Thoresen praised the use of telematic ‘black box' systems that encourage safer driving.