Australian Drivers Seek Recognition for Safety, New Data Reveals
Every day, millions of Australians take to the roads with confidence in their driving abilities. While most strive to follow rules and prioritize safety, new research indicates a significant gap between perceived competence and actual behavior behind the wheel.
National Initiative Uncovers Driving Realities
Last year, AAMI launched the AAMI Driving Test (ADT), a comprehensive national road safety program aimed at providing Australians with accurate insights into their real-world driving habits. This initiative utilized mobile phone telematics to monitor five critical behaviors:
- Speeding
- Hard braking
- Cornering techniques
- Acceleration patterns
- Phone usage while driving
By analyzing these metrics, the program delivered personalized feedback based on objective data rather than subjective self-assessment.
Widespread Participation and Key Findings
Approximately 50,000 Australian drivers participated in the initiative, collectively covering nearly 100 million kilometers of travel. The results provided valuable insights into national driving patterns.
While many participants demonstrated improvement in areas such as smoother acceleration, better cornering, and reduced hard braking, two persistent issues emerged:
- Speeding remains a widespread challenge
- Phone distraction continues to compromise road safety
Perhaps the most significant discovery was that Australian drivers strongly desire recognition for safe driving practices. When positive behaviors were measured and rewarded through in-app badges and incentives like prepaid Mastercards, fuel cards, and holiday packages, drivers showed increased awareness and motivation to improve.
The Power of Positive Reinforcement
Lisa Harrison, Chief Executive of Consumer Insurance at Suncorp, emphasized the importance of this finding. "What gets measured drives outcomes," she noted, highlighting how recognition programs can complement traditional enforcement approaches.
The data revealed particularly dramatic improvements among drivers who started with lower scores. Participants received an overall driving score out of 100 based on telematics data from every trip. Those beginning with scores below 50 improved by an average of 18.5 points through the program.
Broader Implications for Road Safety
This initiative demonstrates that better data leads to better understanding for all stakeholders:
- Drivers gain insight into their actual behaviors
- Insurers can develop more informed policies
- Policymakers receive evidence to shape effective road safety strategies
While penalties and enforcement remain crucial components of road safety, these findings suggest that positive reinforcement plays an equally important role. Recognizing safe driving helps shift attitudes, challenges overconfidence, and encourages reflection on the small decisions that can have significant consequences on Australian roads.
The AAMI Driving Test initiative reinforces that a balanced approach combining measurement, feedback, and recognition can contribute meaningfully to reducing accidents and creating safer driving environments for all Australians.
