Telematics protects drivers by helping them to understand how to drive more safely, too
Octo Telematics has pledged to support UK Road Safety Week (November 21-27, 2016), the annual road safety event organised by Brake across the United Kingdom, for the second year running.
Roads are dangerous places where hundreds of deaths and serious injuries take place every week. In the United Kingdom, five people are killed every day by something we already know how to cure. The point is that by changing our driving behaviour we can greatly improve the world we live in.
Road Safety Week, the biggest event organized in the United Kingdom to improve the everyday safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians, involves thousands of schools, organisations and community groups. In particular, the UK Road Safety 2016 campaign focuses on six elements: 6 Ss that can promote safety and improve everyone’s lives.
Secure – Never underestimate the value of a seat belt. They’re one of the simplest and most important features for protecting drivers and passengers. No matter how many advanced security features a car sports, nothing reduces the risk of death or severe injury like a seatbelt.
Sharp – Driving is a complicated and sometimes dangerous task. It’s crucial that drivers be in good shape. Driving with poor health, vision, or while stressed, fatigued or on medication puts everyone’s lives risk.
Silent – A split second delay can lead to disaster behind the wheel. Drivers should concentrate on the road ahead and avoid all distractions including smartphones, loud music and any other potential distraction.
Slow – Slow down! Speeding is the biggest cause of accidents. Exceeding the speed limit even by just a few miles per hour may have a catastrophic consequence in case of collision.
Sober – It goes without saying, or at least it should, that driving under the influence of alcohol is extremely dangerous, but drivers should also beware, for example, of the many over-the-counter medications that can cause drowsiness.
Sustainable – Drive less. Everyone can help to improve road safety, public health and the environment. Fewer cars on the road means fewer accidents, deaths and injuries, less congestion, less emissions and far more enjoyable communities.
Martin Williams, Managing Director, Octo Telematics explains: “As our roads become busier, it is even more important that drivers be educated on how to be safer. We believe that telematics and the data it gathers plays a key role in educating drivers by giving them detailed information based on their own driving. They are then able to make informed decisions about how they act on the road.”
Octo Telematics is at the forefront of the telematics revolution and has developed powerful analytic tools that are transforming driving behaviour by providing users with insight into their habits and errors.
Octo’s free smartphone app Octo U collects, analyses and stores telematics data on driving behaviour, providing users with tips on how to improve their driving and a score to motivate them to improve. Octo U detects, reconstructs and analyses all significant events that occur during a trip, including harsh braking, rapid acceleration, speeding and how curves are negotiated. Drivers can compare their score with friends and compete to be the best driver. Moreover, in certain countries, drivers can take advantage of their score to qualify for insurance policy discounts and special deals
Richard Coteau, Corporate Fundraising Manager, Brake declared: “We are very proud of our partnership with Octo Telematics and thank them for their continued support and work in reducing road crashes. Telematics can play a vital role in helping to monitor and improve drivers’ behaviour, which is crucial in ensuring we reduce collisions. That’s why this year’s theme for Road Safety Week is the Brake Pledge, helping to spread awareness about six simple things to save lives.”
Brake is a road safety charity that works to prevent road death and injury, make streets and communities safer, and supports the victims of road crashes. Brake founded Road Safety Week in 1997 as an annual event to raise awareness about road safety and promote steps that everyone can take to stop these needless deaths and injuries year-round.
For further information: UK Road Safety Week 2016