ABU DHABI // To reduce the cost of vehicle insurance, car owners and fleet managers could consider fitting their vehicles with monitors for speeding and erratic driving.
That is the advice of a British security consultant who had worked for the Kent police.
Journey data loggers record speed, the use of lights and indicators and other driving patterns, allowing motorists who drive safely to reduce their car insurance premiums.
A sensor or accelerator can be programmed to flag excessive force in braking, acceleration or on impact.
“I drive a lot in the UAE and get tired of the aggressive driving style everyone uses here,” said Robert Rowles, 38, who now works in Dubai. “And any braking space I leave between my car and the one in front is often filled with a car swerving into it at any given chance.
“I would gladly move forward with the introduction of these systems, having already installed and witnessed the effective use of the system.”
The system was installed in British police vehicles in 2007. The data recorded was sent to headquarters after every journey.
“The use of data loggers was well-publicised as a tool to show that nobody could hide if they were at fault, and either party not responding or driving correctly,” Mr Rowles said.
When a device is operational, it informs the driver about his driving style and deters risky driving. “The system could be used here for both road safety and fleet management,” Mr Rowles said. “And if it was insurance approved, then this could add reductions to insurance for users who drive safely.”
Glenn Havinoviski, a transport expert who specialises in incident management, agrees.
The devices could serve several purposes in fleet management, safety and traffic data collection. Car makers can use them to inform drivers when repairs are needed.
“Data loggers and on-vehicle monitors are being used by fleet managers for buses and trucks, monitoring not only maintenance issues but also driver habits,” he said.
"Abu Dhabi taxis use GPS technologies to monitor how fast their drivers are going and if they exceed speed limits on various types of roads."
For road users, the system is a boon, Mr Rowles said.
“If you’re involved in an incident and you’re not speeding, had the correct lights on, not accelerating or swerving hard, this data could be used to prove your driving was not to blame,” he said.
Speed is monitored and for those who accelerate and brake sensibly and stay within speed limits for the first year, a discount will be available.
Julien Audrerie, senior vice-president of customer integration at Oman Insurance Company, said the system would work out best for fleet management.
“It’s extremely positive, no doubt about that,” he said. “For private car owners, when they know they are being monitored they will try to drive better. It’s psychological.”
Mr Rowles dismissed the argument that “it’s Big Brother watching”.
“If you have nothing to hide, you have everything to gain with regards to reductions in both incidents and cost of policy,” he said.
The data could be stored on a central server for all registered insurance companies to access.
“There would be no escape for speeding drivers, as the data log would be able to highlight the reckless drivers,” he said.
rruiz@thenational.ae
UK%20-%20UAE%20Trade
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Glossary of a stock market revolution
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Redditor
The users of Reddit
Robinhood
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Short seller
Selling a stock today in the belief its price will fall in the future
Short squeeze
Traders forced to buy a stock they are shorting
Naked short
An illegal practice
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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
