Last week the government held a 'Whiplash Summit' led by
Transport Secretary Justine Greening and Justice Secretary Ken
Clarke in an aim to tackle the huge increase in fraudulent whiplash
claims. The summit highlighted the incident of a park and ride bus
deliberately rammed by an Audi TT, in which all 36 apparently
stooge passengers onboard made claims. This type of incident
deliberately targeting buses is becoming increasingly
prevalent.
This was just one example of thousands of fraudulent claims
which are costing the UK insurance industry billions of pounds each
year, and telematics provider, Cobra UK, has developed a system to
help address this issue.
Global Live, Cobra's live, real-time CCTV security monitoring
system allows coach and bus operators to protect their vehicles,
passengers and drivers whilst on the move. Interior cameras monitor
the driver and passenger areas 24/7, audibly and visually, to
safeguard employees, passengers and assets from a wide range of
high risk or problem situations. Forward and rear facing cameras
can also be installed to monitor driving standards and to provide
evidence in the event of an incident.
Operating companies can self monitor their vehicles or outsource
to highly trained personnel at Cobra's 24-hour Secure Monitoring
Centre who will monitor footage in real time and download images
and data to keep an eye on vehicles both en route and when parked,
while GPS tracking enables the pinpoint location of the vehicle at
any time.
"We believe Global Live is a unique tool in the battle
against the growing incidence of fraudulent insurance claims
targeting the passenger transport industry. Fraudulent claims by
third parties against bus operators are costing transport operators
ever spiralling amounts in increased insurance premiums, legal
bills and staff time. Global Live's instant playback and two-way
communication with the driver can immediately establish the facts
and stop this type of fraud before it even starts," says Andrew
Smith, Managing Director, Cobra UK Ltd.
Cobra's Global Live system is a bespoke solution. The
number and position of cameras can be tailored to the needs of
individual customers and the system can be further personalised
with the enhancement of personal attack buttons, accelerometers and
enhanced infra red cameras.
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