Flawed speed data

<p>Disappointingly Discovery’s measurement of speeding is flawed.</p> <p>Because I was disappointed with my speeding score I asked Discovery for a report of speeding contraventions in a specific month (January 2017). I was surprised and impressed when they sent me a full report a couple of days later with a list of every speeding contravention showing date, time, GPS co-ordinates, speed and speed limit. Analysis of (part of) the data yielded the following. Of 146 contraventions just 37 were correct. The remainder were incorrect for a variety of reasons … some had not taken account of road upgrades completed in the last 5 years (e.g. William Nicol past Indaba hotel). 18 of the contraventions related to speeding on on-ramps and off-ramps to and from highways. Discovery have incorrectly (*********ly?) app**** a speed limit of 60km/h to all such ramps, ignoring the fact that safe driving means leaving the highway and joining it at speeds to match the speed of vehicles travelling on the highway. But the majority of contraventions were in places where Discovery’s speed limits simply do not match marked speed limits … e.g.</p> <p>the marked speed limit on Modderfontein Road East from Greenstone Mall is 80km/h but Discovery apply a limit of 60km/h<br />the marked speed limit on the R390 from Cradock to Steynsberg is 120km/h (with localised exceptions). Discovery apply a speed limit of 100km/h.<br />I took the trouble to write to Discovery about the errors in their speed limits. They failed to respond. I then threatened to write a letter to the newspapers and they responded with an assurance that my driver assessment score would be corrected for the months of Dec16 to Feb17 (quite how they intended to do this I don't know), with no reassurance that they would investigate or correct their data. I have since checked their speed limits on specific roads that I pointed out were incorrect … they remain unchanged and I am still being penalised.</p> <p>The bottom line is that Discovery have neither maintained nor checked the accuracy of their speed limit data (probably since they launched the product in 2011), and so they effectively reduce the value of cash back rewards to good drivers.</p> <p>I debated whether it was worth writing this letter because I know Discovery have the right (it’s in the small print) to change the way in which the different parameters are measured and scored. Their actuaries will ensure that the Company continues to achieve their targeted returns even if all of their clients become exceptionally safe drivers. I used to regularly achieve my monthly goal for incidents of harsh braking … now I never achieve it. The only sensible explanation (which Discovery deny) is that the g-force limit which defines a harsh braking incident has been reduced … but this remains speculation because Discovery refuse to divulge the g-force value at which a braking incident becomes “harsh” … they would hate to be accused of moving the goal posts!</p> <p> </p>