Seven out of ten believe smart driving technology can improve other drivers’ road safety
New research from price comparison site MoneySuperMarket reveals that the majority of Brits (71 per cent) believe that other road users could improve their safety with smart driving technology.
With over 1,700 fatalities on the road from September 2016 to September 2017 alone, MoneySuperMarket reveals how smarter driving technology could help cut down costs and improve driver safety.
The number of car accidents is on the rise, with those in the North East being the most likely to have had at least one accident (28%).
The research also found that over half (55 per cent) of drivers did not pass their test first time and those who took more attempts to pass went on to have more accidents. In fact, those who took five or more attempts to pass are nearly 1.5 times more likely to have been involved in an accident than the average.
Also revealed is that UK drivers on average rate themselves a confident eight out of 10 on the safety of their own driving. This is despite 35 per cent of those rating themselves a six or above having been involved in two or more accidents.
- 22 per cent feel most unsafe on the motorway, despite most accidents occurring on rural roads
- Over half (52 per cent) of Brits have had at least one motoring accident
- Men are 10% more likely than women to be involved in an accident, but feel more confident than women when driving
While confidence remains high, weather conditions were a primary concern when it came to safety and driving (57 per cent) followed by driving at night (30 per cent) and driving on the motorway (22 per cent). Those over 55 in particular felt less safe driving in severe weather (67 per cent).
Some smarter driving technology methods, such as reverse cameras, can help to improve the view of the road and the space around, reducing the number of accidents on the road and injuries or exterior damage made while parking or pulling out. Despite the advantages, the research found that only 17 per cent of Brits use reverse cameras.
Examples of smart driving technology include:
- Black box – Telematics, more commonly known as a black box, is a system that monitors how an individual drives, with data sent to the insurance provider. The idea is that driving responsibly is rewarded with lower insurance premiums. However, although they are cost-effective and can help to bring down insurance premiums, an overwhelming 64 per cent of Brits would not consider using ‘black box’ telematics.
- Dash cam – The most common device among drivers due to cost and ease of use, dash cams provide a 24hr recording of the front view of your car. This can be invaluable in insurance claims purposes, as well as encouraging the driver to show greater care in their driving. This can cost between £20 and £190.
- Collision alerts – Usually a part of the vehicle sensor system or rear-view camera, collision alerts (sometimes referred to as automatic emergency braking) function as a prevention device. In the event of a potential collision, this autonomous system can intervene by slowing or even stopping the car.
