AAMI App reveals users are driving more safely

Initiatives like ADR are part of Suncorp’s strategy to improve road safety through education, awareness and advocacy.

AAMI Spokesperson Mary Kennedy says it highlights the role personalised feedback can play in creating safer roads for all Australians.

“We want to be a leading voice for safer roads,” says Ms Kennedy.

“Investing in a tool like AAMI Driver Rewards allows us to understand the driving behaviours that lead to accidents, and use the insights to encourage road safety in the community.”

Driver distraction is a particular focus for AAMI, says Ms Kennedy. The AAMI Crash Index, an annual report released by AAMI assessing all crash claims through the year, revealed “nose to tail crashes were the most common crash type over the past 10 years, with more than a quarter the result of driving up someone’s rear end".

“These types of crashes reveal a tendency to be impatient and distracted while behind the wheel, as well as tailgate,” she says.

Ms Kennedy explains ADR uses a gamification method to entice users to engage in safe driving practices.

“The app provides users with feedback on a trip level to highlight driving events which occur and provide tips to improve. In addition, participants can earn badges for different good behaviours and streaks to encourage improvement.”

Kristy Ross, Clinical Psychologist from Black Dog Institute, a Suncorp partner, says when individuals become aware of a certain behaviour, especially behaviour that conflicts with their values or goals, they can be motivated to reassess their personal actions.

“Research shows that awareness is an important first step in behavioural change,” Ms Ross says.

“In essence, it highlights the gap between current behaviours and desired outcomes which then encourages individuals to identify ways to bridge this gap.”

Ms Ross also says ADR's use of gamification is an effective way to enhance users’ motivations towards positive change.

“By incorporating rewards, challenges and progress tracking, it transforms behaviour change into a fun experience (not dissimilar to gaming) and users are incentivised to continue their progress over time,” Ms Ross says.

AAMI is continuing to evaluate the effectiveness of incentives on driving behaviour through its partnership with State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), the NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance regulator. This collaboration will test the driving skills of up to 500 young drivers using the telematics feature in the AAMI app to assess whether financial incentives can improve driving behaviours and reduce accidents and injuries. Young drivers are encouraged to sign up to participate in the trial.