Dear Sir,

Having closely followed the myriad of articles about road accidents, increased police presence and the often heated debate around the effectiveness of cameras to curb bad driving, may I offer an alternative solution?

It appears to be the general consensus of many who post comments to your online edition that most drivers disregard the rules of the road either through apparent apathy for the law, or a sense of invulnerability to accident or prosecution.

Judging from the many comments on the topic, it seems that there is slim confidence in speed cameras resolving the situation, that policing will have little effect, and that the current knee-jerk response will soon fade and the status quo will resume.

My proposal is to try to engender a culture of rewarding good driving through driving telematics. For those unfamiliar with the concept, driving telematics refers to the system whereby a device is placed in your car or bike that can monitor a number of aspects of your driving ability.

This device can measure your location, how long you’ve been driving for, how rapid or measured your acceleration is, how harsh or smooth your braking is, your cornering and so on.

These results can then be quantified and used to determine whether or not an individual is, according to their driving statistics, a good driver or not.

The benefit of the telematics system is that insurers can offer premiums discounts to those drivers who demonstrate a conscientious effort to drive safely, rather than charging the market average where better drivers subsidise the less careful.

Reckless drivers are unlikely to sign up for the system but perhaps their attitudes will change when they see the benefits for those who do exhibit care and attention, and the financial incentives.

Given the financial situation of many on the Island, I would think that we would appreciate the reduced premiums.

There is likely to be an initial cost, but in the long term this will be more than offset through lower premiums, reduced wear and tear on vehicles and reduced fuel consumption.

There would have to be many discussions about the pros, cons and implementation of such a system, but perhaps the focus on reward for good driving rather than punishment for bad driving can provide a positive foundation from which to build on.

If they have not already done so, I would suggest that local insurers consider a feasibility study into this. Here is an opportunity to gain a market edge.

ST