UK Insurers starting to blacklist drivers caught texting

[Colin]

Headline story on yesterday's (London edition, at least) of Metro.

Seems that some insurers are starting to take a very dim view of drivers who have been caught using their mobile phone while behind the wheel. Although the current penalty, 3 points, is the same as for some speeding offences, they are (quite correctly, in my opinion) saying that whilst a motorist may inadvertently break a speed limit, if, say they are unfamiliar with an area, no-one accidentally texts from behind the wheel.

Research by the AA suggests that motorists with such a conviction (and 170,000 people were caught in England and Wales last year) can expect at least a 20% hike in their premium, which is far more than those who declare a 3 point speeding offence. Three companies in their survey refused cover altogether.

I say: Good!

[Speed_Racer]

I agree. Texting while driving is out of control.

[Byteme]

Headline story on yesterday's (London edition, at least) of Metro.

Seems that some insurers are starting to take a very dim view of drivers who have been caught using their mobile phone while behind the wheel. Although the current penalty, 3 points, is the same as for some speeding offences, they are (quite correctly, in my opinion) saying that whilst a motorist may inadvertently break a speed limit, if, say they are unfamiliar with an area, no-one accidentally texts from behind the wheel.

Research by the AA suggests that motorists with such a conviction (and 170,000 people were caught in England and Wales last year) can expect at least a 20% hike in their premium, which is far more than those who declare a 3 point speeding offence. Three companies in their survey refused cover altogether.

I say: Good!

As do I.

[Raza]

This is the best you can do in the current system, I suppose. 

[Northlands]

Good. I think most stats on how many people are texting while driving aren't even close to the reality.( which are higher numbers than stats show... I believe. )

[AutobahnSHO]

hallelujah!!

One day I decided to start counting the people I saw fiddling with their phones while behind the wheel- I lost count. While many were just whatevering while stopped at a light, many were staring down while occasionally glancing up while moving, in slower speed limit areas.

I'll occasionally answer the phone while driving but never even look at it if a text or email buzzes in. Even at the light. It can wait 15min.

[S204STi]

It's a start.

[Raza]

It's a start.

Like I said, working within the system, it's the best they can do.  But, texting should be legal, but punished severely if you're texting at the time of a crash. 

[S204STi]

Yep, any crash should be probable cause to confiscate your phone and check your texting records for recent texts. 

[Byteme]

Like I said, working within the system, it's the best they can do.  But, texting should be legal, but punished severely if you're texting at the time of a crash.  

That is about like saying shooting at people should be legal and you only get punished if you hit them.   Or drunk driving should be legal and yu only get punished if you cause an accident.

[TurboDan]

Interesting. Here in New Jersey, a cell phone ticket is a no-points ticket. It's often used to give people a break by police officers when someone is pulled over for something with points, such as speeding.

At the end of the day, though, it sounds like this is just another excuse for insurance companies to raise premiums.

[Byteme]

Interesting. Here in New Jersey, a cell phone ticket is a no-points ticket. It's often used to give people a break by police officers when someone is pulled over for something with points, such as speeding.

At the end of the day, though, it sounds like this is just another excuse for insurance companies to raise premiums.

Since when do they need an excuse?

[MexicoCityM3]

Good policy. Tests have repeatedly shown that texting while driving is of similar risk to DUI. So, I am fine with this and I wish there was much stricter enforcement of anti-texting-while-driving-rules.

[Raza]

That is about like saying shooting at people should be legal and you only get punished if you hit them.   Or drunk driving should be legal and yu only get punished if you cause an accident.

I'm okay with that.  Except for the shooting people part, but I'll give you that hyperbole.


(I actually don't condone drinking and driving either.)

[Madman]

As much as I hate all insurance companies, I do applaud this move.  Personally, I think an even better idea would be to bludgeon these people to death with their own phones, but that's just my opinion.

[TurboDan]

This is the type of thing that is applauded until the day you are personally affected by it.

[AutobahnSHO]

This is the type of thing that is applauded until the day you are personally affected by it.

NO ONE SHOULD TEXT BEHIND THE WHEEL. EVEN AT A LIGHT.

unless you are parked somewhere OUT of moving traffic.

[Byteme]

This is the type of thing that is applauded until the day you are personally affected by it.

Never happen.  I don't play with electronics while I'm behind the wheel.