How social proof and partnerships can improve road safety

Automobile associations (AAs) represent millions of motorists worldwide. Our Co-Founder Matt Peterman explains how members can benefit from VouchForMe and lower their insurance premiums while encouraging safer road use for all. Thanks to the power of social proof.

Road traffic accidents cause over 3000 deaths a day worldwide and thousands more are seriously injured. This is one of the leading causes of preventable death in otherwise healthy people, with 90% of all traffic accidents worldwide attributed to driver error. Improving road safety is a central part of the mission of several AAs. With initiatives such as the 3500 lives campaign, showing how making small changes in driving habits, such as turning off your phone, reducing your average speed, and never driving tired, can make a huge difference to road safety.

Founded in 1904, the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) is the highest governing body of motorsports, best known for Formula One and the World Rally Championship. Additionally, it represents over 100 AAs worldwide which in turn represent 37 million motorists, spread across three continents. Together both the FIA and the AAs it serves are pioneers of road safety, which was a central point of the FIA’s Summer Cocktail. Where the European Commissioner for transport, Violeta Bulc stated: “The safety of road users is very close to my heart. Everyone deserves the best safety and care when enjoying the benefits that mobility brings.”

To remain relevant in a changing world, AAs are embracing changes in technology. There are numerous campaigns in action across the globe promoting safe driving With many of these initiatives fueled by advancement in technology — IoT in the form of black boxes installed in cars, and autonomous vehicles are both examples of how technology can improve road safety. But the majority of initiatives still target people and focus on encouraging sensible driving. Here the AA clubs play a vital role. This is evident from the driving habits of their members. Across all age groups, AA members are safer drivers.

Despite the fact that AA members are safer drivers, this isn’t always reflected in the cost of their premiums. As insurance companies don’t always offer reduced rates for members. Through VouchForMe, AA members can vouch for each other as careful drivers, and access better insurance rates.

VouchForMe is a web-based tool enabling careful drivers to access lower insurance premiums, through sharing the risk of a high insurance deductible. Drivers can request their friends or family to vouch for them, which shows insurance carriers that the people that know them best consider them a safe and responsible driver. Vouching creates a financial agreement between the driver and their guarantor, so in the event of the driver filing an insurance claim, the guarantor will cover the agreed part of the deductible. This allows the driver to access lower insurance premiums, as they can take a high insurance deductible, without taking on the extra financial risk. The system is self-regulating, as by agreeing to vouch, guarantors also create a psychological bond of trust with VouchForMe users. Knowing their friends have backed them encourages drivers to take more care on the roads avoiding phone usage and keeping to speed limits, which in turn, will enable them to gain more guarantors when they need to renew their insurance. Their network grows, and this is fully traceable through blockchain connections, allowing insurance companies to recognize the lowest risk drivers. VouchForMe’s model is especially appealing to young, responsible drivers, who find the typical model of insurance unfair, but still need to use a car.

With Vouchforme AAs and their members actively promote safer driving in return for a lower insurance premium.

VouchForMe shares the goal of making our roads safer.

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