Driverless technology set to reduce bad driving and high car insurance premiums

By Kirsty Timsans · · 2 min read
Fact Checked
Advertiser disclosure

Australians are leading the global crusade against bad driving with the help of Roadshamer.com, a website that allows users to upload video and photos of illegal and bad road behaviour.

Over 80 uploads from Australia have been received by Roadshamer over the past week- more than any other country, according to eGlobal Travel Media.

Roadshamer’s Australian webmaster, Nadav Golombick said that the website aims to improve the state of driving on Australian roads by deterring drivers from engaging in dangerous and illegal road activity.

“Uploading videos could start to make other drivers aware they are being watched and will make them more careful. All most drivers want is to get where they are going safely. Driving on the road should not be more stressful than it has to be,” he said.

RELATED: Roy Morgan Research: More drivers in Australia but car accidents down

However, the mass introduction of driverless vehicles commencing in 2018 have caused speculation among industry experts about whether bad drivers and high car insurance premiums could soon become extinct - at least, in Britain.

According to the Telegraph, car insurance premiums in Britain could be halved in just five years as cars with driverless technology are expected to account for more than 90% of all cars on British roads.

Head of motor at KPMG, John Leech, said, “Premiums could halve once we have vehicles which communicate to each other and an ‘autopilot mode’ when driving on the motorway - this is likely to happen approximately around 2020.”

This driverless technology is expected to reduce car accidents, whiplash claims and car park disputes which account for 94% of all insurance claims in Britain and costs insurers almost £3 billion($6.4 million AUD) a year.

While car insurance isn’t expected to entirely disappear, cover for accidents should be dramatically reduced and insurers in Britain already offer a 10% discount on cars with driverless technology such as emergency braking systems.

Meanwhile in Australia, driverless technology is currently being trialled in Adelaide however it is unknown when this technology will be available for public use reported ABC Online.

Are you looking for a better deal on your car cover? Compare the car insurance market with Mozo here.