According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 1.3 million people worldwide lose their lives each year to preventable road accidents. Many of these happen over weekends and especially over long weekends when people travel greater distances. Fatigue, unroadworthy vehicles, speeding, faulty brakes, alcohol abuse and a blatant disregard for road rules are just some of the factors contributing to the increase in road accidents and road accident-related fatalities during the long weekends globally.
This is particularly true in South Africa, which has some of the world’s most dangerous roads to travel on, notoriously bad drivers, and high road accident-related fatalities as a result. According to WHO there are 33 road fatalities per 100 000 people in the population on South Africa compared to 3 in the UK. The underlying reason why South Africa ranks as one of the world’s most dangerous places to drive has to do more with driver behaviour and attitude. The economic cost of road accidents worldwide is high and amounts to US $100 billion each year. In South Africa alone, the total cost of motor vehicle accident deaths is estimated to be over R 60 billion each year. This cost will continue to rise unabated if nothing is done to prevent more road accidents from occurring.
Driver Behaviour and Road Crashes
Driver behaviour, especially when combined with poor driving choices and habits, is a major contribution to road accidents and deaths, particularly over long weekends. It only takes a few changes in driving behaviour to make a significant contribution to decreasing these statistics, and turn the situation around. If nothing is proactively done to decrease these accidents and deaths, then by 2015, road accidents will become one of the leading causes of premature deaths globally, and the death rate will increase to 2 million lives lost each year, and possibly double to four or five million lives lost in developing countries by 2030. This, if allowed to happen, will have a detrimental impact on families, individual lives and the economy, for most of these deaths will be among young people.
“Through analysing South African national road accident statistics and the data drawn from Discovery Insure’s DQ Track programme, Discovery Insure’s telematics device, which is a scientifically and actuarially robust measure of good driving, Discovery Insure has made a number of interesting observations regarding South African driver behaviour,” says Discovery Insure CEO Anton Ossip.
The DQ-Track analyses driving indicators such as speed, acceleration, braking, cornering and more, which enables us to measure how well our clients drive. These results are calculated through proprietary algorithms and sent to clients on a monthly basis with a review of their driving for that month, and makes suggestions on how they can improve their driving ability, thus equipping them with evidence-based information they need to become better drivers.
Young Adult Drivers and Road Safety
Ossip says that according to South African national road accident statistics, there are 40 road related fatalities each day, and Discovery Insure data found that motor vehicle accidents account for 75% of young adult deaths, which confirms the WHO’s concerns that most road accident-related deaths, if road accidents continue to increase, will involve young people. Discovery Insure has 25 852 active drivers and out of these drivers, 1 555 drivers are young adults who are younger than 26. Furthermore, 60% of accidents are preceded by some form of irresponsible or risky driving behaviour.
Regarding young adult driving behaviour, Ossip says that Discovery Insure found that 9 in 10 young adults think they are above average or excellent drivers, and this form of optimistic thinking contributes to the high accident rate. The reality, Ossip says, “is that one out of every three young adults have been in an accident, and over ninety percent of young adult drivers are most likely to engage in risky driving behaviour.”
The top three risky driving behaviours young drivers engage in before an accident, according to Ossip, are peer-influenced behaviour, late night driving, and speeding. He mentions that harsh braking, which is indicative of insufficient following distances, also plays a role in accidents. Ossip further mentions that these risky driving behaviours also play a role in the increase in long weekend road accidents, whether the driver is travelling within one city, or to another city, and according to Discovery Insure statistics, one out of every five motor vehicles is not roadworthy, and three out of five accidents are preventable.
Efforts to promote good, and safer driving behaviour among South African drivers
“We are committed to addressing this high accident ratio in the country through the promotion of good, and safer driving behaviour among South African drivers,” says Ossip, “and rewarding them for making good driving choices, and thus, creating a nation of better drivers and safer roads for all South Africans.” This, says Ossip, is in alignment with the business’ core purpose of making people healthier, enhancing and protecting their lives. We achieve this through our incentive-based driver programme, Vitalitydrive™ which encourages our clients to improve their driving, and we reward them for good driving; ensuring their vehicle is roadworthy and making sure they are aware of driving safety standards. In addition to this, we provide our clients with the tools and services they need to ensure their safety.
Our Vitalitydrive™ data shows that the impact of the model on our clients’ driving behaviour is substantial. Clients that drive well have fewer accidents than clients who drive poorly. Clients get regular feedback on their driving, which makes it easy for them to improve. Our highly engaged clients who drive exceptionally well have received over 50% premium reduction through our rewards programme. Some of these rewards include getting up to 50% fuel spend back from BP, and the Young Adult Plan which encourages young drivers to improve their driving ability, The Young Adult Plan provides them with great incentives, such as providing them with a financial amount equal to 25% of their monthly car payments, which is paid into their Young Adult Reward Fund, and the amount decreases or increases depending on the driver’s monthly Vitalitydrive™ status.
Advice for safer driving
Discovery Insure encourages all South Africans travelling on the roads to take note of the following tips : These include complying with road rules, no drinking and driving, have your drivers’ licence with you, planning your route, and ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy before departure – this includes tyre, light, brakes, steering wheel, windscreen wipers, and exhaust system checks. Always maintain a safe following distance, and to avoid fatigue, make regular rest stops every two hours, and drive with your lights on, even during the day for high visibility, and avoid driving at night, and be constantly alert to road conditions and changing weather conditions.
“We are passionate about investing in our communities,” Ossip states. “We strongly believe society benefits when people make better lifestyle and driving choices as it means people are healthier, and able to make a positive contribution to the economy. Through the Discovery Insure model, we are committed to seeing all South Africans become better drivers, and make a contribution in ensuring our roads become safer to use for all South Africans.”
[Anton Ossip is Discovery Insure CEO]
For more on vehicle and insurance telematics also view:
What is Insurance Telematics and how will it impact on car insurance?
Driver Intelligence to be measured by Discovery with Discovery Insure
Outsurance activates technology to reward safe driving behaviour
Pay As You Drive and Car Insurance
Vehicle Telematics, Accident Investigation and Fleet Management