[sustran] VTPI News – Traffic Safety Special Edition

[Todd Alexander Litman]

"Rethinking Transportation Safety" 
(<http://www.planetizen.com/node/36138>http://www.planetizen.com/node/36138 )
This new blog describes a paradigm shift that is changing the way 
transportation professionals think about safety. The new paradigm 
recognizes that crash risk increases with per capita vehicle mileage, 
so policies that stimulate vehicle travel tend to increase crashes, 
while traffic reductions and shifts to alternative modes tend to 
increase safety and health. This new approach expands the scope of 
traffic safety strategies to include mobility management and smart 
growth. These strategies reduce total crashes and provide co-benefits 
such as congestion reduction, road and parking facility cost savings, 
consumer savings, energy conservation, pollution reductions, improved 
mobility for non-drivers, and improved public fitness and health.

One example is "Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance," the subject of a 
workshop to be held in Vancouver tomorrow, described in the media 
advisory below. Spaces are still available.


========================================================
Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance Workshop Media Advisory
For Information: Todd Litman (250-360-1560; litman at vtpi.org)

VANCOUVER, November 20 - British Columbia's first public workshop on 
Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD) vehicle insurance takes place tomorrow at 
UBCs downtown campus.

Date:          Friday, 21 November 2008
Time:          1:00 4:30 p.m.
Place:        UBC Robson Square (Room C150)
                     800 Robson Street
                     Vancouver, British Columbia


PAYD pricing means that insurance premiums are based directly on the 
amount a vehicle is driven during the policy term, offering motorists 
a financial incentive to reduce their vehicle travel. This provides 
several benefits:
    * Increased affordability and consumer savings.
    * Substantial reductions in traffic crashes and casualties.
    * Reduced traffic congestion, energy consumption and pollution emissions.


PAYD pilot projects are being implemented in other jurisdictions 
including California, Washington and Texas.

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia declined to participate 
in this workshop, stating that ICBCs current priorities do not 
include further exploration of distance-based insurance.

"This is unfortunate", said workshop speaker Todd Litman, an 
internationally recognized expert on PAYD pricing. "Pay-as-you-drive 
insurance rewards motorists when they drive less, with greater 
incentives for higher-risk drivers. It can significantly reduce 
traffic crashes and associated costs, and help solve other 
transportation problems including congestion and pollution. It also 
increases insurance affordability. ICBC should support PAYD research."


FAQs
    * Q: Will I be required to purchase my automobile insurance under 
the PAYD system?
    * A: PAYD can be a consumer option. As opposed to paying a set 
premium price for insurance, you will be billed according to the 
number of kilometres you drive.
    * Q: I drive long distances and more than the average driver. How 
will PAYD insurance benefit me as a frequent driver?
    * A: Again, PAYD is optional. Motorists would choose it if they 
save money. All motorists benefit from reduced traffic congestion and 
accident risk.
    * Q: What are the environmental benefits of PAYD insurance?
    * A: PAYD insurance helps reduce CO2 emissions and traffic congestion.
    * Q: What are the economic benefits of PAYD insurance?
    * A: Drivers can save several hundreds of dollars annually in 
vehicle insurance, and it reduces external costs including crash 
risk, traffic congestion, road and parking facility costs.
    * Q: Will PAYD cause people to give up their cars?
    * A: No. PAYD simply prices insurance fairly according to each 
vehicle's usage. PAYD reduces driving costs and increases insurance 
affordability.
    * Q: What other factors (besides mileage) are incorporated in PAYD rates?
    * A: PAYD premiums incorporate all existing rating factors such 
as driving experience and territory. Lower risk drivers pay less per 
kilometer than a high risk driver.

Backgrounders:

Workshop Information 
(<http://clevername.wufoo.com/forms/pay-as-you-drive-general-information>http://clevername.wufoo.com/forms/pay-as-you-drive-general-information 
).

"Pay-As-You-Drive Pricing in British Columbia" 
(<http://www.vtpi.org/paydbc.pdf>http://www.vtpi.org/paydbc.pdf ).

"Distance-Based Vehicle Insurance as a TDM Strategy" 
(<http://www.vtpi.org/dbvi.pdf>www.vtpi.org/dbvi.pdf )

"Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance: A Simple Way to Reduce 
Driving-Related Harms and Increase Equity" 
(<http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2008/07_payd_bordoffnoel.aspx>http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2008/07_payd_bordoffnoel.aspx 
)

California Insurance Commissioner Sets Framework For 
EnvironmentallyFriendly Automobile Insurance, Increased Options For 
Consumers, California Department of Insurance 
(<http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/0070-2008/release089-08.cfm>www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/0070-2008/release089-08.cfm 
).




Sincerely,
Todd Alexander Litman
Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org)
litman at vtpi.org
Phone & Fax 250-360-1560
1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA
"Efficiency - Equity - Clarity"