Mr. Sam Waide:

As to the technology, and as we mentioned insurance companies earlier, there are companies who incentivise drivers, particularly young drivers, in their driving behaviour. When I say incentivise, they then reduce their premiums as a result. Earlier in the committee, I openly and publicly asked the insurance sector and industry to step forward. I acknowledge there is a certain competitive advantage or commercial nature to those various propositions which insurance companies have. However, this is road safety and societal benefit and gain. Most importantly, this is to reduce the number of families who have lost loved ones and who are seriously injured. As was pointed out, it is not just about fatalities but also about serious injuries. There is the insurance sector role that can and should be played in a more proactive way in regard to those incentives.

I referred earlier to behavioural apps. I know this because I have downloaded one myself. I cannot share the details due to general data protection regulations, GDPR, but it helps improve driving behaviour. That is something the RSA is exploring in terms of how to encourage people, especially young people, to use apps in that regard. Something that came up quite recently when RSA representatives were in attendance at an EU member country workshop and discussion was technology, but not in the cars. I agree with Professor Cusack. The technology predominantly already exists in new cars. It is technology on the roads that I am referring to. I am excited about it because geofencing is a solution which is being talked about at the moment at an EU level. It is being talked about by our delivery agencies and particularly within transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, for new roads or roads that are being upgraded to have that geofencing ability. That actually takes the stress out of driving for individuals in that it automatically-----