AonSmartDrive Looks to Reduce Accidents by 50 Percent

Aon Corporation and SmartDrive, a global provider in driver safety and risk management solutions, have teamed up to provide a joint service called AonSmartDrive.

The AonSmartDrive measured safety program is launching in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia featuring a dual lens in-vehicle camera that records and analyzes unsafe acts on roads. As part of Aon's wider risk management program, Commercial Fleet Solutions, it aims to reduce commercial fleet accidents by 50 percent and help protect companies in a continually increasing litigious environment.

AonSmartDrive includes an in-vehicle unit consisting of a dual lens camera that uses G-force and speed sensors to capture 30 second video clips of before and after a triggered incident. These are then reviewed to identify possible driving errors, such as tailgating or speeding, or common distractions, such as eating, using a cell phone, or reading a map. The system is entirely Web-based, allowing clients to easily and quickly access events, run reports, and counsel drivers.Benchmarking means good drivers can be appropriately rewarded, while drivers displaying unsafe behaviors can be retrained.

"We consider this innovative joint program to be ground-breaking. It leverages the complementary strengths of Aon's risk management expertise and our driver safety solutions effectively to deliver significant value to customers," said Greg Drew, CEO of SmartDrive. "We are already seeing the results. Companies in the U.S. and UK have already seen accident frequencies cut by over 50 percent within three-six months of deploying the program and improved compliance to their safety initiatives." AonSmartDrive benefits also include:

-- Reduced exposure of fraudulent claims and litigation
-- Reduced insurance premiums and retained risk costs
-- Reduced security threats through "panic button" camera trigger
-- Driver development and retention
-- Reduced maintenance costs
-- Reduction in mystery damages
-- Reduced fuel consumption from speeding

Aon's Commercial Fleet Solutions also includes a thorough review of existing risk management measures; driver profiling, assessment and training provision; detailed analysis of claims data; accident management/claims handling solutions and other types of driver/vehicle performance monitoring devices.

Luke Harrison, Director of Aon Global Risk Consulting, said, "We are working to bring innovative and proactive risk solutions to our clients. After evaluating multiple sources of technology, Aon knew SmartDrive was best positioned to assist clients in adding cost-saving technology to Aon's existing Fleet Risk offerings. AonSmartDrive will become an integral program for fleet operators wanting to survive, at a time when competition is fierce and fuel costs are rising.

"Initiatives such as AonSmartDrive supplement a company's risk management program by influencing driver behavior and preventing accidents. This is a key message, through which companies should pro-actively identify and manage the risks posed by the vehicles, their drivers, and the job that is being undertaken. In this litigious environment AonSmartDrive will help companies to show that they are taking all reasonable steps to reduce costs and save lives."