Novice drivers – telematics research project

The UK Department for Transport has commissioned a research project looking into the potential road safety benefits associated with newly qualified drivers using telematics products.

The research will help government to better quantify the specific impact of telematics products on accident rates and the potential for future innovation. The principal element of this research will be a comparative analysis of the insurance claims data of two groups of drivers who passed their driving test less than two years ago – one group with telematics in their car and one without.

TRL/Halcrow are carrying out the research. The first phase is largely preparatory and will report in April 2015. DfT will then consider the phase one report before embarking on the actual comparison exercise.