New Insurance Monitoring Program May Prevent Atlanta Auto Accidents

A program designed to provide drivers with customized lower insurance premiums may also promote safer driving practices and reduce Atlanta auto accidents that result in injury and wrongful death. The insurance program that is currently being offered by State Farm and Allstate insurance companies is expected to be adopted by other insurers. Under the program, drivers have a device installed on their vehicles that tracks such driving patterns as speed, hard braking, mileage and time of the day when the vehicle is driven. A driver that agrees to have the device installed on their vehicle can receive a discount on insurance premiums of up to 30 percent off current good driver rates.

While the discounted rate program is designed to permit insurance companies to develop individualized data regarding the accident risk posed by individual drivers, it may also reduce auto accidents in Atlanta and other cities where the program is implemented. Though it may seem a bit “Orwellian” to have one’s driving monitored so closely, mere awareness that one’s driving practices are being consistently monitored and recorded would likely improve driving behavior. This is particularly true when one’s driving practices are directly tied to out of pocket costs in the form of higher insurance premiums. This concept is already working in many areas with red light cameras. The mere presence of the cameras is often enough to reduce the frequency of serious auto accidents in intersections where the cameras are present.

The insurance monitoring program is not available for all vehicles because the tracking devices fit in to a car's diagnostic port (i.e. computer), which means it is generally limited to vehicles manufactured after 1996. The device also tracks the locations where the vehicle is driven. This monitoring program is part of a larger trend toward “usage based insurance.” While auto insurance is generally based on risk spreading concepts, the more information about the specific driving practices of an insured that can be gathered, the more fairly insurance premiums can be provided to the safest drivers.

While transportation agencies and traffic safety regulators are lauding this new technology’s ability to reduce serious auto accidents and prevent injuries and auto accident-related fatalities, some consumer advocates are concerned about the privacy intrusion from a program that permits close monitoring of one’s daily driving practices and locations where one travels. However, participation in the program is voluntary so it would seem the traffic safety advantages outweigh privacy risks.

Because our auto accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates have been representing those who suffer catastrophic injury and wrongful death since 1984 and we would rather see people not get hurt, we applaud programs that can prevent auto accidents in Atlanta. If you or a loved one suffers serious injury in an Atlanta auto accident, Montlick and Associates represents its clients with compassion and diligence. Our Atlanta auto accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.