UK drivers take more risks in the summer, finds telematics firm
Speeding and hard braking increase in the summer, according to data from telematics device provider Wunelli. Analysis of driving behaviour showed 68% of drivers have better scores in winter than in summer. Drivers also hard brake 30% more during the summer months, as well as speed on motorways 25% more, the analysis of 18,000 motorists showed. Hard braking is a strong indicator of inappropriate speed and aggressive driving. The figures could be used by insurers to discourage policy holders from speeding, said Selim Cavanagh, VP of insurance, UK and Ireland, for LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

The driving behaviour of over 18,000 motorists with telematics policies, covering 106 million miles over a two year period was analysed, [2] and results showed:

68% of drivers have better driver scores in winter than in summer

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 Comparing summer versus winter driving, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, based on analysis of telematics data, 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. This information coincides with Government data[3] which shows that 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. LexisNexis Risk Solutions recently enhanced its proprietary road speed database which provides scoring accuracy to insurers for rating telematics policies and visual proof of road speed limits in near real-time to support customer communications in cases of excessive speed[4]. Selim Cavanagh, VP of Insurance, UK and Ireland, for LexisNexis Risk Solutions said: “Telematics insurers have a unique insight into the driving behaviour, and therefore risk, of their policy holders. As such, these insurers will be utilising this information to communicate with the customer in order to discourage future speeding, and to take appropriate action if improvement is not seen. “Our new process for automated and manual verification of speed limit information means the insurer has access to accurate data which can be used as evidence in the event of collision or to cancel a policy if deemed necessary. “Of course, insurers with this insight also have the opportunity to make the roads safer, by educating those found to be speeding and encouraging drivers to slow down in future for their own safety, as well as the safety of other road users. “Government data[5] shows that around 1 in 4 road accident fatalities has speed as a contributory factor but we believe this is vastly understated. Inappropriate speed affects driver judgement and vehicle control and when you look at all the main contributory factors for road traffic accidents, the vast majority have one or both of these issues in play. Considering that our analysis is of drivers with telematics policies who you would expect to be more conscious of their driving behaviour, speeding is clearly a significant issue for our roads. It serves to reinforce our continued investment in market changing innovations to help the sector take telematics to the mass market.”

