New ICBC pilot project will monitor behaviours of new drivers

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – In an effort to improve road safety, ICBC is kicking off a one-year pilot project designed to monitor the behaviour of new drivers.

The Techpilot Project, which begins in November, will include as many as 7,000 drivers. It is a telematic device installed in your vehicle and paired with your smartphone. It monitors driving behaviours such as speeding, braking patterns and the level of distracted driving and provides an overall score.

ICBC President and CEO Nicolas Jimenez says the program is focusing on drivers with less than four years of experience.

“The unfortunate reality is that inexperienced drivers are about three-and-a-half times more likely to be in a crash,” says Jimenez. “And when they’re in a crash, those crashes tend to be more serious.”

Here’s what you need to participate:
– A smartphone with a data plan
– Class 7N driver's licence that you got within the last 4 years or
– Your combined driving experience (7N and full licence) is less than 4 years
– Access to a vehicle. pic.twitter.com/dHqz8TSHZ8

— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) July 30, 2019

This risk decreases gradually as drivers gain more experience behind the wheel.

In a release, North Vancouver MLA Bowinn Ma says this is just one way ICBC is looking to improve the driving experience and auto insurance.

“This pilot will help us reward the kind of good driving behaviour that is critical to making B.C. roads safer for all users,” she says.

Participation in the pilot will not impact the insurance premiums of those involved. Instead, participants can receive gift cards to popular retailers and restaurants if they have a good overall score.

Drivers can sign up here to be a part of the pilot.

 

– With files from Lasia Kretzel