We think of car insurance as a monthly bill, but it is actually a massive data engine that dictates vehicle design and driver behavior. Insurance companies are the ones who pushed for the standardizing of airbags and anti-lock brakes (ABS) because their data proved these features saved lives—and money.
Today, we see the rise of "telematics"—small devices or apps that track your braking, speed, and cornering in exchange for a discount. This is the "gamification" of traffic safety. When a driver knows that a hard brake will literally cost them five dollars on their next bill, they drive differently. The insurance industry is perhaps the most effective "traffic cop in history using the wallet to regulate often what the law cannot.
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