The end of speeding: new traffic apps encourage road safety

TECHNOLOGY now exists to make you drive slower and safer. Not interested? The rewards might change your mind.

The end of speeding

IT’S a familiar occurrence on our roads. A line of traffic approaches a speed camera, slowing down to a respectable 10km/h below the limit, until it passes the camera — and then the cars accelerate ­past the speed limit again.

But what if the speed of all ­motorists was constantly monitored? This would eliminate the need for costly cameras and the ­familiar conga line of cars slowing down to pass them. Some will feel increased monitoring of our speeding is an excessive intrusion into our lives, but it might help save lives.

In fact, the technology is already here, but it’s the private sector, not government, that is rolling it out. Trucking companies use global positioning system technology to check that drivers take regular breaks and don’t speed. Transport companies including Toll, McAleese and Linfox use the technology, which is sophisticated enough to even monitor excessive braking and acceleration.

You no longer need to buy expensive tracking devices to monitor speeding, as smartphones can accurately track speed and even acceleration and braking via GPS.

Companies in the US and Britain have unveiled a range of apps that track driving but can also cut out distractions like SMS messages, emails and phone calls.

Some of the apps are pitched at parents who want to make sure that their teenage children drive safely, while others are designed for insurance companies (see apps test at right).

In Australia, AAMI has become the first business to unveil a safe driver app that rewards ­drivers who exceed what seems a fairly modest level of compliance with the offer of free roadside ­assistance. The app has more than 10,000 users after launching late last year with some fanfare and a considerable promotional effort.

The technology helped AAMI parent company Suncorp engage with its customers on a new level, says Lisa Harrison, Suncorp executive general manager for customer and product.

“Technology allows us to give close to real-time information of their driving. If people have an understanding of their driving habits, and are positively rewarded for good driving habits, that will make the roads a safer place,” she says.

But the company didn’t develop the app for altruistic reasons alone. Harrison acknowledges it will benefit its business.

“As an ­insurer we pay many, many claims every year,” she said. “We also see we will get rich understanding, we will understand more about ­driving habits and the level of risk as well.’’

“And we also see giving our customers value insights that help them will create a deeper engagement with our customers and make our brands more relevant. We look at it as a different form of marketing.”

Suncorp did a great deal of in-house research before the launch. It asked 1000 employees to be guinea pigs, asking them to determine whether the app made them better drivers.

The app helps, said the overwhelming majority, making them more aware of the speed limits. Additionally, the app provided very detailed information on their driving performance.

Unlike the NSW government’s Speed Adviser, the AAMI app does not tell drivers if they are speeding. Harrison says this is deliberate — so the app can’t distract drivers.

At the end of each trip, drivers can earn up to five stars for their performance based on three criteria: speed adherence, braking and phone use. It even produces a map showing where the driver exceeded the speed limit or braked excessively.

A more detailed score breakdown rates performance on three additional criteria: acceleration, fatigue and excessive speeding. And for those with a competitive edge, there is a leaderboard that tells the driver where they rank out of a maximum score of 100 and by percentage of drivers.

Could authorities one day use the app? Harrison says this is “a question for government — we don’t work in the enforcement space”.

Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, who commands NSW Police’s Traffic and Highway Patrol, commends companies for adopting the technology, but says the apps are not robust enough for police use. “It is not quite there for enforcement.’’ he says. “We need to have technology that can stand up in court.”

PAUL CLEARY’S ROAD TEST

The AAMI app seems robust. I’ve used it for two months and I’m amazed at how driving just 5km/h over the speed limit for a few moments shows up on my journey. The app records journeys automatically and sometimes it logs my train and bus trips.

After completing the minimum of 300km I waited for my score with great anticipation. I was expecting a very high score as I’d stuck to the speed limits, or so I thought, but I came in at 90, or just outside the top 10 per cent of drivers. Excessive acceleration cost me the most points. However, AAMI requires a score of only 60 to qualify for free roadside assistance, so I was doing reasonably well.

During the next 900km of journeys recorded on the app, I’ve lifted my score to 94.4, which ranks me in the top 4 per cent. I’d be doing a lot better if I did more longer trips that allowed for cruise control to avoid speeding, as most of my driving is short trips around the city.

SAFETY APPS

The AAMI Safe Driver: Monitors speed, breaking, acceleration, phone use and gives report on safety compliance after journey completed. Free roadside assistance for good drivers.

RMS Speed Adviser: Tells drivers what the speed limit is and alerts them when they exceed it.

Samsung S-Drive: Limited trial in Australia. Cuts the phone’s signal while driving and tracks speed.

TextArrest: Disables texting and email on smartphones while driving.

ZoomSafer: Limits access to email, texting, browsing, and calling when driving.

Drivesafe.ly Pro: Reads texts and emails aloud.

Key2SafeDriving: Restricts phone use when car is running and sends automated replies to incoming texts.