What's the news?
In a statement that's sure to get the debate over the surveillance society going, AIG Insurance has said that it believes that all drivers under the age of 25 should have a telematics box fitted to their car as a condition of their cover.
Telematics boxes record the car's acceleration and location, and can send automatic reports to either the driver, or their insurer, about any excess speed, sudden cornering, or panicky braking. They have been used for some time in a voluntary capacity by those seeking to gain lower insurance premiums.
Declan O'Rourke, General Manager of AIG Ireland wants to make them compulsory, though. "During last weekends' National Slow Down Day, Gardaí detected a total of 225 vehicles breaking the speed limit one of which was a motorist travelling at 177km/h in a 100km/h zone in Co. Donegal" he said.
"We are seeing exactly the same pattern and crucially, the technology now exists to identify these reckless and irresponsible drivers. For example, at AIG we have recently cancelled young driver policies for driving at 193km/h on a motorway and 170km/h on a secondary road. Eradicating reckless driving will reduce the threat to drivers, passengers and the general public."
"We feel telematics is a win-win, not just for road safety but also for our customers, many of whom are delighted with the cost savings, and being rewarded for safe driving. In addition, the Cost of Insurance Government Action Plan supports the use of technology to benefit consumers. AIG supports this recommendation and believes telematics is part of the answer to reduce costs for safe drivers and promote road safety."
What do you think? Is this useful life-saving technology? Or just another way for big corporations to peer into our lives, and another excuse to avoid the subject of proper training regimes for younger drivers?