Should Insurers Share Their Telematics Data
Should the government and our insurers be forced to share their anonymous telematics data in order to improve safety on our roads? A report from the House of Commons' transport committee states that a better, more efficient use of this data collected from drivers will help improve road safety across the United Kingdom.
The committee released a report called 'The Future of Motor', published last week. The report said: "The growing amount of data being collected via the in-vehicle black boxes from drivers offers 'an invaluable source of data to inform policy making to improve driving behavior and safety."
According to the committee, this information could be used to positively influence highway design and manage traffic flows. They are urging the Department of Transport to work together with representatives from the entire insurance industry to decide how they can synergise this anonymous data in order to improve our roads.
The committee's report also references a prediction from Newcastle University's professor Sampson who said: "Insurance companies will require all vehicles to be equipped with telematics devices by 2050." This would underpin the introduction of pay-as-you-drive insurance.
James Savery, 09 March 2015