Big Brother As Your Passenger?

KingFishKingFish
edited August 2004 in Science & Tech
In two new tests, car owners will be able to let insurance companies monitor their driving via new technology in exchange for lower rates.
The technology will track some combination of when, where, how far and how fast they drive, giving insurers a way to reward low-risk driving. Now just experiments, the technology might be a glimpse of the future of car insurance.

The trials will begin this year:

• Progressive will announce its TripSense trial in Minnesota on Aug. 24. Customers who sign up will get a device the size of a Tic Tac box to plug into their cars. The device will track speed and how many miles are driven at what times of day. Every few months, customers would unplug the device from the car, plug it into a computer, download the data and send it to Progressive. Depending on results, discounts will range from 5% to 25%.

• In Great Britain, major insurer Norwich Union will start its Pay As You Drive test in a few weeks. Volunteers will get a device the size of a Palm computer installed in their cars. The gadget will use global positioning satellite technology to track where the car goes, constantly sending information to Norwich Union wirelessly. Cars that spend more time in safer areas will qualify for bigger discounts.
Source: USA Today

Comments

  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    I don't think I'd get a discount, considering how I drive.
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited August 2004
    GHoosdum wrote:
    I don't think I'd get a discount, considering how I drive.

    they'd probably up my rates
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    Hell, I want this, I don't drive much at all if I don't have to, and I don't go driving like a mad man when I do.
  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    If I had it, I might actually slow down. Hmmm...
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    Cyclonite wrote:
    If I had it, I might actually slow down. Hmmm...

    Good point ;) It could prove more useful to deterr people from being such asshats on the roads... not that you are Cyclonite ;D But in general, people who drive like tards all the time, this may help those people from killing others becuase of their recklace driving.

    But the day they force you to use these, is they day I question it's legality... I would think it is unconsitutional. But I may be wrong, anyone think the same?
  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    If they force, I'd be against it. But it being voluntary would probably pay off quite well.

    Also, I drive fast, but safe. I know when it's time to back off, when I'm putting someone else in danger. I'm not one of the asshats. :)
  • QCHQCH Ancient Guru Chicago Area - USA Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    If the entire tracking system was integrated... sure.

    The way I see it... driving is a privilege, not a right. Every vehicle has a "box" and every box reports to a system that tracks location, speed, g-force, distance between vehicles... etc. Now, link to a database that tracks insurance so you can not drive without it... To drive, you swipe your license and it verifies that you are authorized to drive and the vehicle is insured.... Off you go.

    So... you have guy #1... Drive good, a bit fast, but a good safe driver. He is cut off by guy #2... Guy #2 is a butthole.. drives fast, very aggressive... OUTCOME... Driver #2 get dinged and if guy #1 get into an accident because of guy #2... Guy #2 get to pay for it.

    Basically... allot like 5th element, but more dynamic instead of static. "Flow of traffic" instead of pure speed limits....

    Just my two cents....
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    It would be nice if the speed limit were relaxed due to safer drivers on the road... unfortunately, the US is not Germany, and we'll never have a high enough quality highway system around the entire country to warrant it.
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    Big Brother is here in a sense in Florida (for driving), but in a different way. The neighbor has a daughter across the street has a daughter with a drinking and drug problem. she's also been on meds of Spychotropic kind. Finally the insurance company that finally reinsured her insisted on a breathalyzer hooked into the ignition system. If she's inebreated (SP!) she can't even start the card, the breathalyzer computer can talk to car computer and can cut out the ignition circuit and a power circuit based on results of breathalyzer. Breathalyze or don't drive, hmmm.... She HAS cleaned up her act.
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