More than 70 per cent of Western Australians support government having access to information generated by their vehicles, but concerns remain about how transport data would be collected, stored and used.
This is according to a new RAC Member Priorities Tracker survey, which revealed 72 per cent of respondents felt comfortable with government having access to de-identified vehicle-generated data.
The information they were most supportive of sharing included:
- Road condition information (76 per cent);
- Operation of a vehicle just before and after a fatal or serious crash (71 per cent);
- Vehicle emissions data (64 per cent);
- Data shared between the vehicle and surrounding infrastructure. e.g. traffic signals (59 per cent); and
- Details of where vehicle safety technologies were engaged. e.g. airbag deployment (59 per cent).
RAC General Manager Public Policy and Mobility Anne Still said modern vehicles produce a huge amount of data, which could be used in future to improve road safety, manage congestion and inform the planning of our transport networks.
“Our survey shows a high level of support from Western Australians to share information generated by vehicles with government, however they are concerned about data breaches, misuse of personal information, not knowing what data is being collected, and being monitored or tracked.
“There are concerns around data privacy and security, with respondents worried about how their information would be collected, stored, shared and used — including their journeys, location and driving behaviours.
“We believe the priority for accessing this data should be in the interest of reducing the unacceptable number of deaths and serious injuries occurring on our roads every day.
“Using data to get crash victims to medical care more quickly and to help identify and locate hazards are potential benefits which could go a long way to improving safety on our roads.”
The survey revealed nearly 90 per cent of respondents are concerned about data breaches leading to identity fraud, and 84 per cent are concerned transport-related data will be used by government for reasons they have not consented to.
The vast majority (87 per cent) also believe it’s important both industry and the community are consulted about any intention for government to collect, use and share transport-related data.
“As we move into a more connected future, a greater level of trust needs to be established between the community, government and industry over the management of data,” Ms Still said.
“This must include ongoing consultation and communication on the ways data will be used, protected and shared — striking the right balance between maximising the benefits and managing privacy risks is vital.”
To view the results of RAC’s Member Priorities Tracker on vehicle-generated data, read the report here.
To read RAC’s submission to the National Transport Commission’s discussion paper on Government access to vehicle-generated data, read the report here.
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Media contact: Caitlin Barr, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
