Study shows risky driving behaviour can be predicted

First published in The Global Road Safety Review 2015 as Telematics data predicts risky drivers

A new study of 1,291 drivers by driver behaviour specialist CAS for Risk Technology shows that the risk level of a driver’s likelihood of a crash can be determined accurately via data collected by automotive telematics devices. The drivers were insured by a leading UK firm and had telematics devices installed in their vehicles. CAS examined how driver behaviour affects the chance of being involved in an incident and the potential to make an insurance claim. The information from each telematics device was compared against the cause of any crashes or damages recorded by the insurer.

The main reasons recorded for accidents included a lack of hazard perception, poor basic steering skills, loss of control of the vehicle and not maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles.