Drivers are being urged to heed their speed this summer. As Government data shows more pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are involved in road accidents in the summer months, new analysis suggests that the driving behaviour of motorists deteriorates severely during June, July and August – thus creating a lethal combination of factors impacting road safety.
UK motorists are 30% more likely to slam on the brakes and 25% more prone to speed in summer than winter according to analysis by telematics solutions provider Wunelli, a LexisNexis Risk Solutions company. Given this behaviour has been observed amongst drivers with telematics insurance, the fear is that speeding and hard braking could be much worse amongst drivers without any form of monitoring device in their car, heightening concerns about road safety at a time of year when more people are out and about.
Based on analysis of telematics data, LexisNexis Risk Solutions has found that speeding and hard braking increase in the summer months. Hard braking is a strong indicator of inappropriate speed, driver distraction, aggression and lack of road sense so the significant increase along with more frequent speeding in the summer months should be a serious concern. LexisNexis Risk Solutions defines hard braking as a change in speed of 6.5+ mph over a 1-second time period, which is enough to propel a bag on the passenger seat into the footwell.
The telematics insurance policies supported by LexisNexis Risk Solutions enable hundreds of thousands of inexperienced drivers to save on their insurance based on their driving score. A score is an indication of driving standards, using data from telematics black boxes and other data collection devices. The company uses 26 scoring parameters (such as speeding, braking, cornering, time of day) including a proprietary database of speed limits across the UK to assist with accuracy in scoring.
The driving behaviour of close to 20,000 motorists with telematics policies was analysed and showed drivers cover more miles and with much less caution in summer than in the winter months.
- 68% of drivers have better driver scores in winter (Nov to Feb) than in summer (June to August)
- On average people drive 14% more miles in summer than in winter
- After adjusting for mileage, the average driver will, in summer compared to winter:
Hard brake 30% more
Speed on motorways 25% more
Speed on local roads 7% more
Drive on weekday nights 25% more
Selim Cavanagh, VP of Insurance, UK, for LexisNexis Risk Solutions said: “Sadly, Summer tends to sees a rise in the number of vulnerable road users in road traffic accidents as people get out on foot, bike or motorbike to enjoy better weather. Our data on driving behaviour not only provides a clearer understanding of why this might be the case but can put both drivers and insurers on guard to help temper that behaviour. Poor driving behaviour and more people using the roads is a bad mix for road safety.
“Around 1 in 4 road accident fatalities has speed as a contributory factor but we believe this is vastly understated. When you look at all the main contributory factors for road traffic accidents - most accidents recorded are due to injudicious action, driver error, distraction, behaviour or inexperience[5] and will have inappropriate speed as a factor. Inappropriate speed affects driver judgement and vehicle control which can lead to the hard braking found in our analysis. Therefore a 30% increase in hard braking is a real cause for concern.
“Telematics provides a unique insight into driving behaviour, and allows insurers to provide drivers with timely safety messages and insurance premiums that directly relate to their risk. At a time when traditional insurance premiums continue to rise, telematics policy pricing has remained relatively flat, thus giving many motorists a way to reduce their motoring costs if they can show they drive well, while increasing safety for all road users.”
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