Young male drivers are more than twice as likely to speed as their female counterparts, new telematics analysis suggests.
Analysis of more the 4.5 billion miles of driving data, compiled by telematics insurer insurethebox, shows that, on average, male drivers (17-25 years) are likely to speed ‘a significant 56%’ more frequently than female drivers of the same age.
It also suggests new drivers are three times more likely to crash in the first three months of their policy, compared to the final three months of thier first year of driving.
The analysis follows THINK!’s ‘Road Whisperer’ campaign, which sets out to raise awareness of different scenarios that can be challenging for new drivers, including driving at night and on country roads.
The data shows that despite only 4% of road use taking place between midnight and 5am, 23% of insurethebox accident alerts happen during these hours.
Meanwhile, young drivers are 30% more likely to have a collision if they speed on country roads – where a quarter of all serious or fatal crashes occur.
Simon Rewell, road safety manager at insurethebox, said: “The recent campaign from THINK! was a great reminder for new motorists of the risks of speeding, driving at night and driving on country roads.
“A driver’s first year after passing is the ideal time to create safe driving habits.
“Our goal is to empower young motorists to take control of their driving behaviour by working with them to understand the risks they’re taking.
“We proactively communicate with our drivers who speed and this communications programme has resulted in a 28% reduction in speeding instances among the highest risk drivers.
“For young drivers accident frequency has reduced by 9%.”
insurethebox uses individual driver data to determine the risk profile of each policyholder through a black box installed in the vehicle.
It shares each customer’s personal driving data through an online portal, empowering them to manage their driving habits in order to earn monthly bonuses.
David, you say speed itself is not the problem and whilst I don’t want to get into a debate with you about this, we must surely agree that inappropriate speed provides the driver with less ‘reaction’ time should there be a hazard. Equally, if as a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist, i’m going to be involved in a collision with a motorised vehicle (regardless of whose fault it is) i’d prefer that the motorised vehicle was not being driven too fast for the conditions. Aside from all this, I can tell you that walking alongside a road and being passed by fast moving traffic feels far less pleasant than walking alongside a road where the vehicles are being driven more slowly.
Rebecca James, Leeds
+4
We now have quantifiable telematics data to confirm what experienced RSOs have known for more than a decade. I guess that is progress of sorts.
If that data does produce more targeted and effective interventions, it is worth having but if not, it just numbers for numbers sake.
Pat, Wales
+3
It’s the persistent speeder, not necessarily the speed itself that is the danger, which is why monitoring their behaviour over time is a good thing.
The problem with those with a propensity to speed is that their vehicle control and overall safety is compromised – not just due to speed, but to their behaviour and attitude behind the wheel.
Hugh Jones
--3
As I keep repeating incessantly, speed itself is not the danger.
Also, I would like to call on Insurethebox to finally release this data along with accidents to the public for research purposes. I called for this last year but despite discussions with their media team, no data was made available.
I’m wondering if I should start my own research body…
David Weston, Corby
+3