America’s roadways can be a dangerous place. In 2023, over 11,500 people were killed due to speeding. Approximately 850,000 vehicles were stolen last year, and staged-crash scams, impacting innocent drivers, are on the rise.
The good news is that there are several accessible tech advancements that drivers can utilize to improve their driving, increase security, and even help them in the event of a claim: telematics and dashcams.
Dash Cameras
Dashcams have been around for some time, but they’re now more affordable for drivers on personal policies. They’re also an excellent resource against fraudulent claims, especially for commercial policyholders.
What is Telematics?
While many people are familiar with dashcams, fewer have probably heard of telematics. Simply put, telematics is technology that can track factors such as mileage, driving habits, weather, road conditions, and even how often you drive. It provides immediate feedback to drivers and employers that can help them change unsafe driving behaviors and encourage better ones.
Benefits for Policyholders
Telematics and dash cameras have revolutionized commercial fleet management, personal vehicle safety, and insurance claims by providing essential data and improving driving behavior. Key benefits include:
Enhanced Safety and Risk Reduction
- Fleet vehicles with telematics experience a 20% reduction in accidents.
- Dash cameras help reduce risky driving behavior by 35%, leading to fewer crashes.
- Companies using telematics have reported a 50% decrease in speeding violations.
Lower Operational Costs
- Fuel consumption is reduced by 10-15% through improved route optimization and driver behavior monitoring.
- Predictive maintenance alerts help decrease vehicle downtime by 30%, leading to higher productivity.
Improved Driver Accountability and Training
- Dashcam footage helps clear drivers of blame in 60% of disputed claims.
- Video evidence reduces fraudulent insurance claims by 25%, protecting businesses and individuals from financial loss.
- Training programs using telematics data can improve commercial driver efficiency by 20%.
Theft Prevention and Recovery
- GPS tracking within dashcams enables 90% of vehicles to be recovered within 24 hours.
- Companies using telematics see a 50% reduction in vehicle theft cases.
Utilizing telematics and dash cameras in vehicles can lead to substantial benefits, including improved safety, cost savings, and enhanced driver accountability. By using these technologies, businesses and individual drivers can create safer road conditions for all.