Aviva's Paul Heybourne on driving undisturbed

Paul Heybourne, Aviva

  • Apple recently launched its new ‘Driving – do not disturb’ feature built into its latest operating system
  • Some 74% of UK drivers use in-car gadgets or apps as part of their driving experience
  • Four in 10 drivers culd be using dashcams on UK roads in the next year
  • The Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill aims to ensure the UK is at the forefront of the modern transport revolution

With technology rapidly changing what cars look like, Paul Heybourne, head of innovation operations for Aviva, maps the motoring landscape of the future.

Apple recently launched its new ‘Driving – do not disturb’ feature built into its iOS11 operating system, which is now available to download on most iPhones. As an industry that sees first-hand the sometimes devastating consequences of driver distraction, insurers welcome innovations such as this.

Innovation is having a huge impact on all aspects of our lives, and driving is no exception – thankfully more often technology is helping to make journeys safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable. Devices such as telematics are helping encourage and educate drivers on safer driving, and helping to make the cost of motoring cheaper.

Earlier this year, Aviva commissioned a survey to compile the views of 2000 UK motorists about vehicle-related technologies, including dashcams, driving apps, in-car tech, telematics and driverless carsWe were keen to find out their thoughts, concerns and plans for the future. Auto technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate to match consumers’ need for the connectivity they are experiencing in other areas of their lives.

The ‘retrofit’ connected car, with customers fitting aftermarket gadgets, continues to be a growing trend. Some 74% of UK drivers use in-car gadgets or apps as part of their driving experience and, as more innovations become available, either individually or through people’s mobile phones, this can only be expected to grow.

Our research found that almost one in five (17%) UK drivers currently use a dashcam, while a further 30% of motorists plan to use one in the near future.

In fact, of the people planning to invest in a dashcam, the vast majority (84%) expect to do so within the next year. This suggests that four in 10 drivers - equivalent to more than 19 million motorists - could be using dashcams on UK roads in the next 12 months.

Specifically, one-third of motorists say they would use a dashcam because they are worried about fraudulent motor claims. This concern is not without foundation: Aviva is currently investigating more than 16,000 suspicious bodily injury claims and declined one in 10 whiplash claims for proven or suspected fraud in 2016.

If the prevalence of dashcams helps to cut down on the number of fraudulent claims, this would be a fantastic result for all road users. 

While drivers take steps of their own to make their cars of today connected, self-driving vehicles are also on their way. Cars themselves are becoming increasingly ‘connected’ and will soon become large smart computers on wheels.

The Queen’s Speech following this year’s General Election confirmed that the government will introduce an Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill to ensure the UK is at the forefront of the modern transport revolution.

As a large motor insurer in the UK, these innovations are fundamental and we are taking steps to support this evolution of mobility, while making sure we understand our customers’ views on cars and technology.

Our research shows that one in five motorists would be happy to use a driverless car. However, there is currently some nervousness from consumers about embracing the driverless car movement.

When asked about how they feel about the concept of driverless cars, the pervading mood among drivers is one of uncertainty. Four in 10 drivers (43%) worry about the idea of technology being in control rather than the driver, while more than one-third (36%) fear that driverless cars could cause motorists to become lazy and inattentive.

We can expect some virtual bumps in the road as new technology evolves, but there can be little doubt that innovations are being done with safety and comfort in mind, and a very different motoring landscape can be expected in future.

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