As Winter Draws in, INRIX Data Reveals that More Weather-Related Incidents Occur in December, January and February than the Rest of the Year Combined
London, United Kingdom – December 10, 2015: INRIX, a leading global provider of transportation information, analytics and connected driving services worldwide, has announced a partnership with British motoring association, the AA, to provide real-time road incident and traffic flow updates to the AA’s members.
INRIX’s real-time traffic data now powers the AA’s traffic news on its website, providing live incident reports, road closures and congestion notices – all of which are also available to AA members through the AA app.
The two companies have joined forces to help drivers avoid traffic congestion – including delays caused by road incidents such as breakdowns, which is especially important as the cold weather draws closer and vehicles are more susceptible to breaking down.
Alongside this news, INRIX data has revealed that since 2010, over half (56 per cent) of all weather related incidents on the road in the UK occurred in the winter months of December, January and February – with 53 per cent of these caused by rain and flooding and over a third (37 per cent) because of wind and fallen trees.
By contrast, over the same period, around one in five (22 per cent) of weather-related incidents occurred during the autumn months of September, October and November, 18 per cent during June, July, and August, and just 10 percent in March, April, and May.
The AA’s data also suggests the same trend, with its breakdown recovery service reporting an average of over 312,628 cases last December, January, and February – 20 percent more than June, July, and August this year (263,655 cases).
“As the icy weather conditions draw closer, our data has emphasized that there is never a more important time to consider safety on the road. Our partnership with the AA will provide its 15 million members will vital access to real-time traffic information, helping to keep them clear of road incidents and congestion along their journeys,” said Graham Bradley, UK Country Manager, INRIX.
“Weather is probably the single biggest influence on the vehicle breakdowns we handle. In the cold winter months, poorly maintained vehicles are more susceptible to breaking down, and roadside breakdowns, in particular, can lead to increased congestion, said Edmund King, President of the AA.
“With real-time access to INRIX’s extensive driver network in the UK, our members will be empowered to avoid road incidents and closures and the most congested routes, helping them to get from A to B as efficiently and safely as possible.”
This partnership has been announced shortly after INRIX launched its innovative Road Weather service, which provides drivers with critical, real-time information on road weather conditions – including the type of precipitation, surface conditions and visibility, among others.
“As connected vehicles gather and share more data, such as the data provided by in-vehicle sensors that detect real-time road weather conditions, they will play an increasingly significant role in keeping drivers safe,” Bradley added.
For the latest traffic news from the AA, please visit www.theaa.com/traffic-news.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
INRIX:
UK/Europe: Hotwire PR (on behalf of INRIX)
Laura Brooks
+44 (0) 20 7608 8363
laura.brooks@hotwirepr.com
Matt Simmons
Marketing & PR Director, EMEA
INRIX
+44 (0)20 7012 3509
matt.simmons@inrix.com
AA:
Edmund King
AA President
+44 (0)7738 791052
Edmund.king@theAA.com
