Our
current system of trying to change driver behaviour largely consists of
traffic tickets, vehicle impoundment and driver’s licence suspensions.
They all rely on traffic policing to find and deal with those who don’t
follow the rules. How efficient is
that?
When I worked on South Okanagan Highway Patrol, we were responsible for
Highway 3 from the Manning Park works yard to the Rock Creek Canyon
Bridge, Highway 5A from Princeton to the Okanagan Connector, Highway 3A
from Keremeos to Kaleden and Highway 97 from
the border at Osoyoos to Peachland. A typical dayshift consisted of 3
constables when we were all working.
What were a misbehaving driver’s chances of being caught? Not that great.
ICBC has run one trial with driver telematics and are in the process of
running a second. The first consisted of volunteers from their Customer
Advisory Panel and the current one will be conducted with volunteers who
are in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP).
One result of the first trial was announced by ICBC’s CEO:
“From our first telematics pilot earlier this year, ICBC has
developed a telematics strategy to identify how the technology can be
used to improve road safety and drive behavioural change among
higher-risk drivers in B.C.,” said Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC’s
president and CEO. “We heard from those pilot participants that most
believed the use of telematics would make the roads safer for everyone.
This is our next step in a thoughtful examination of telematics
technology and how it might help to keep these drivers
safer.”
Currently, there is one form of electronic monitoring in effect for
drivers who have shown that they pose a significant risk to themselves
and other road users. Drivers who have received alcohol-related driving
prohibitions require an ignition interlock to
prove that they are sober enough to drive.
RoadSafetyBC says that the interlock program evaluations have
consistently found up to a 90% reduction in repeat drinking and driving
while the device is installed.
One of the more common issues on our highways is drivers who drive at
excessive speeds, that is more than 40 km/h above the posted speed
limit. If they are found and dealt with by the police, a heavy fine and a
vehicle impound is imposed. A GLP driver will
also be subject to a driving prohibition.
Speed limit adherence is a relatively simple function for electronic
monitoring. GPS provides both location and speed and the speed can be
confirmed by the vehicle’s own data network. There are apps available
right now that will allow you to monitor your ability
to drive at or below the posted speed limit.
Perhaps the requirement for a year of speed monitoring following an
excessive speeding incident would result in a 90% reduction in speeding
by that driver.
RoadSafetyBC also places high risk drivers on probation under the Driver Improvement Program.
In addition to speed, telematics can monitor hard braking and
acceleration as well as abrupt steering. Consistently recorded, these
behaviours are indicators of high risk driving practices.
Would electronic monitoring also result in a 90% reduction in high risk driving behaviour while a driver is on probation?
How long will it be before ICBC uses telematics to set insurance rates? It’s probably not that far in the future.
Consistent safe driving will already save you up to 25% on the cost of
optional insurance with Belairdirect here in B.C. All that you need to
do is use their Automerit app to show that you deserve the rate
reduction.
Whether you choose to use electronic monitoring of your driving for
personal benefit or have it imposed on you by the government when you
show that you don’t play well with others we could all be safer because
of it.
Story URL:
https://www.drivesmartbc.ca/viewpoint/electronic-monitoring
—
Constable Tim Schewe (Retired)
DriveSmartBC: Where better than average drivers satisfy their curiosity.