insurethebox telematics data shows drivers are 13% more likely to break the speed between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Recent analysis from the UK’s most experienced telematics car insurance provider has revealed that speeding increases by 13% between Christmas and New Year’s Day (25th December – 1st January), compared to the remainder of the year [1].
The festive period, and winter itself produces some unique obstacles for drivers; reduced hours of daylight, visibility impairments from the advent of snow, along with ice remaining on road surfaces are but a few of the adverse weather conditions to accompany these holidays.
“While we expect the festive season to be more than a little different this year, we cannot forget the dangers associated with speed”, said Gary Stewart, Service Manager at insurethebox. Rushing between social bubbles, to visit loved ones, and celebrate the end of, what has been a somewhat miserable year, comes with an inherent warning.”
The expected annual surge in traffic levels around this time of year, may urge drivers, some of whom have reduced their driving for a proportion of the year, to opt for unusual routes to visit family members, or friends. But the telematics insurance provider have heeded that drivers think of the risks of travelling on rural roads. “For those Brits who reside in more-remote areas, the daily reality is driving on rural roads, but hazards caused by harsh weather conditions, tight corners, narrow lanes, and comparatively high-speed limits, can make these somewhat perilous to inexperienced drivers, unfamiliar with these road types.
Whilst the insurance provider has noted the dangers associated with different road types, it is recognised that the ever-present risks caused by speeding can un-ambiguously be worsened on all road types, when merged with ice and rain. The two-second gap, recommended for drivers in dry conditions may be doubled in wet weather[2], and significantly increased when ice is involved.
“Restrictions in place this year will likely reduce our need to travel as much this Christmas period, hopefully reducing the volume of traffic across the period. But it is essential, that drivers, whether experienced or inexperienced, use additional caution, and do not use the likely, emptier roads to travel in excess of the speed limit” said Gary Stewart, Service Manager at insurethebox.
To combat the risk of speeding, especially amongst its primary customer base of young and inexperienced drivers, insurethebox have run an on-going communication programme. In the previous four years, the speed reduction programme has prevented an estimated 1060 accidents and 34 serious injuries, with some 80,000 drivers reducing their speed by 21%[3].
ENDS
Media enquiries to:
Pihla Hellgren // Nathan Manley
Email:press-itb@insurethebox.com
Notes to Editors
insurethebox
Insure The Box Limited launched in June 2010 with its first product, insurethebox, and now holds over 5 billion miles of driving data and associated claims. Insurethebox is owned by Aioi Nissay Dowa Europe Limited, part of the major Japanese insurance group MS&D Holdings, Inc. The group is taking a leading role in the development of technologies that will change the face of motor insurance and the way we view the car.
[1] Based on Insure The Box Ltd policyholders’ total speeding events by miles driven from 01/01/2016 – 01/01/2020.
[2] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-techniques-and-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158
[3] https://www.insurethebox.com/1060-accidents-prevented-with-innovative-communications-campaign/