Do young insured drivers slow down after suffering an accident?

Abstract

Being involved in an accident may modify the behavior of an insured at the wheel due to their having an aggravated perception of risk. Here, we analyze how the behavior of young drivers is modified after an accident by comparing percentage distances driven above posted speed limits before and after the event. The possibilities afforded by telematics, in terms of gathering information about such variables as speeding, undoubtedly constitute an important step forward in quantifying effects that hitherto have gone unanalyzed in the field of road safety and car insurance. Our results show a greater reduction in the speeding of young drivers that suffer severe bodily injuries, especially in the case of men and, particularly, among those that committed more frequent speed violations prior to the accident.