Aviva study: growing number of UK motorists seek recorded proof of incidents on the road

• 17% of UK drivers use dash-cams, while a further 30% plan to use one in the near future
• 19 million UK motorists could be using dash-cams within the next year
• ‘Crash for cash’ is a concern for a third of dash-cam users / those planning to use
• Three quarters of motorists use tech devices to aid their driving

LONDON, 31-Jul-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — Dash-cam usage could be set to increase, as a growing number of UK motorists seek recorded proof of incidents on the road.

A study of 2,134 UK motorists carried out by Aviva insurance found that almost one in five (17%) of drivers currently use a dash-cam, while a further 30% of motorists plan to use one in the near future. The figures are taken from Aviva’s ‘Connected Car’ report, which investigates drivers’ views about in-car technology and innovations in motoring.

Of the people planning to invest in a dash-cam, 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 dash-cams on UK roads in the next 12 months.

Safety is a key consideration for many people who use or plan to use dash-cams, with four out of 10 (42%) drivers in this bracket saying they simply ‘feel safer’ when using one. The most common motive for using a dash-cam is a desire for proof of any incidents on the roads – a reason given by 76% of motorists who own or intend to own a dash-cam.

Specifically, a third of motorists say they would use a dash-cam because they are worried about fraudulent motor claims such as ‘crash for cash’. 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.   Younger drivers take the lead with technology The report also discovered a clear love of technology to enhance life behind the wheel. Almost three quarters (74%) of drivers say they use some form of tech device as part of their driving experience. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most popular tool is the sat-nav system, used by more than half of drivers questioned.

Younger drivers are more likely to have at least one tech device for their vehicle, with the proportion of drivers who use no vehicle-related gadgets growing with age: 80% of drivers aged 17-24 use car-related tech tools, compared to 67% of drivers aged 55 and over.

Of those who don’t use in-car tech devices, the majority (65%) feel confident in their driving abilities without additional devices and 33% are put off by the cost.

However, there is also a suggestion that more and more people could be relying on their phones to double-up as motoring-related gadgets in the future, rather than using a specific device. Although overall only 6% of drivers say they use their mobile phones instead of bespoke appliances, this grows to 16% amongst drivers aged 17-34.

Paul Heybourne, Head of Digital Innovation Operations, Aviva says: “Innovation is having a huge impact on all aspects of our lives, and driving is no exception. Technology is helping to make journeys safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable.  In some cases, devices such as telematics are helping to make motoring cheaper, the prevalence of GPS and navigation in our cars and on our smartphones has made map-reading a thing of the past for many car users, and dash cams are helping drivers feel safer”.

“It comes as no surprise that the vast majority of drivers – some 74% – 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, we can only expect this to grow in the future

“However, while smartphone driving apps can support safer driving, other phone habits such as messaging and checking social media can be a dangerous distraction, potentially with devastating results. We welcome innovations such as Apple’s ‘do not disturb while driving’ feature scheduled for this autumn, which can help to prevent the temptation to respond. It’s vital that motorists think about when and how they use their devices and make sure that they only do so when it’s safe and legal.”

The full Aviva Connected Car report can be found here

Read more:

Should I get a dash cam?

How is technology helping drivers?

Ends

Media Enquiries: Aviva Press Office | Sarah Poulter | 07800 691569 | sarah.poulter@aviva.com | @sarahpoulter

Notes to editors:

Unless stated otherwise, all statistics relate to a survey of 2,134 UK drivers who drive at least once a week. The poll was conducted by Censuswide research in April 2017.

*Source: Latest GB Driving Licence Data (March 2016) records that there are 46,328,129 full and provisional driving licences held in the UK. The 19 million driver figure is based on: 17% of 46,328,129 (drivers who are using dash-cams now) plus 25% of 46,328,129 (84% of 30% of drivers who plan to use dash-cam within the next year).

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SOURCE: Aviva plc