A system which uses pattern recognition in assessing or monitoring vehicle embarkment or disembarkment, comprising: a data collection and assessment system (104, 142, 260, 272, 404) mounted to the interior of a vehicle (102, 140, 402) comprising one or more data collection devices (106, 144, 406) that can be used to capture data and information, or otherwise measure vehicle actions, wherein the one or more data collection devices (106, 144, 406) comprise one or more accelerometers (110, 280, 408); a data communication module (116, 148, 416) which enables communication of the collected data and information, such as through the use of telematics, to one or more other systems; a pattern recognition module (118, 162, 300) configured with one or more defined operating patterns (120, 163) that each reflect a known change in vehicle status based on accelerometer data, and wherein the known change in vehicle status corresponds to when an operator or a passenger has embarked or disembarked the vehicle (102, 140, 402); an operator assessment and monitoring module (122, 164) which includes information about one or more vehicle operators, including for each operator an identifier (124, 166) and additional data or information (126, 166) describing that operator and/or their typical operating characteristics; and wherein accelerometer data indicative of a current vehicle status is compared to the one or more defined operating patterns (120, 163) to identify a known change in vehicle corresponding to when an operator or a passenger has embarked or disembarked the vehicle, and the results of the comparison are used in providing operator feedback and/or updating operator profile data and/or providing other services such as assessment or monitoring of operator behaviour. a data collection and assessment system (104, 142, 260, 272, 404) mounted to the interior of a vehicle (102, 140, 402) comprising one or more data collection devices (106, 144, 406) that can be used to capture data and information, or otherwise measure vehicle actions, wherein the one or more data collection devices (106, 144, 406) comprise one or more accelerometers (110, 280, 408); a data communication module (116, 148, 416) which enables communication of the collected data and information, such as through the use of telematics, to one or more other systems; a pattern recognition module (118, 162, 300) configured with one or more defined operating patterns (120, 163) that each reflect a known change in vehicle status based on accelerometer data, and wherein the known change in vehicle status corresponds to when an operator or a passenger has embarked or disembarked the vehicle (102, 140, 402); an operator assessment and monitoring module (122, 164) which includes information about one or more vehicle operators, including for each operator an identifier (124, 166) and additional data or information (126, 166) describing that operator and/or their typical operating characteristics; and wherein accelerometer data indicative of a current vehicle status is compared to the one or more defined operating patterns (120, 163) to identify a known change in vehicle corresponding to when an operator or a passenger has embarked or disembarked the vehicle, and the results of the comparison are used in providing operator feedback and/or updating operator profile data and/or providing other services such as assessment or monitoring of operator behaviour.