Can My Iphone Help Combat Distracted Driving
February 4, 2018 | Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a serious hazard to everyone driving on the road. Distracted driving consists of activities such as talking or texting on one’s phone, eating and drinking as well as doing anything that prohibits a person from keeping two hands on the steering wheel and paying attention.
Unfortunately, texting is the most common form of distracted driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are approximately 660,000 drivers who use cell phones while driving during the day.
Read on to learn more about how your cell phone can actually combat distracted driving.
USING CELLPHONES WHILE DRIVING
From teenagers to parents, people are using their cellphones while driving. One in every four crashes involve someone using a phone.
Below are four applications that one can use for a phone that can combat distracted driving. From rewarding users with points, limited calling and texting functions to making the phone voice activated–one of these apps could work for you or your loved ones.
DRIVEMODE
Founded in 2014 by entrepreneurs from Zipcar and Tesla Motors, DriveMode is a simpler way to use your phone while driving.
This free app has easy-to-use voice commands and large buttons. For those who can’t stay away from their phone, DriveMode be for you.
- Voice-Reply to Messages: The voice-reply to messages gives the user the ability to reply to messages hands-free, and it doesn’t matter which app the user is texting on.
- Easy-to-Use Music Player: Want to change the song playing, but don’t want to take your eyes off the road? Using this app, you can connect different apps together (like your music player). This way, you won’t need to switch between apps to change the song.
FOCUS (IPHONE)
Data from Focus suggests that people who used the free version of Focus averaged 6 minutes and 20 seconds on their phone while driving. Yikes!
This app automatically starts when a user starts driving. If a person picks up the phone, there will be a gentle reminder to put the phone down and focus on the task at hand-driving. However, if the phone keeps being used, the app will start to get upset.
SAFEDRIVE (IPHONE + ANDROID)
Have you heard of those apps where you earn points for answering surveys? Get ready for the free app that will reward you with points for not driving distracted called SafeDrive.
Unlike Focus and DriveMode, this app prohibits the user from accessing anything on the phone. Once a user has exceeded 6 MPH, the SafeDrive Algorithm will start and reward points. If a user has to use their phone, all of the points will be lost for the time that they were driving. Once the user decreases his or her speed below 6 MPH, the app will let the user know how many points have been rewarded.
Spend points on food, fashion, entertainment or car necessities. SafeDrive has more than 35,000 drivers in 140 countries connected through this app.
TEXTARREST
TextArrest is a free mobile app that switches off text messaging and calling functions, and gives the user the ability to craft auto-responses.
TextArrest includes a family function, allowing parents to limit phone function while their children are driving. This app also will send parents a notification when their teenager has disabled the app, travels outside of a specific geographic location or goes over the speed limit.
In case of an emergency, the app will disable.
HOW CAN YOU COMBAT DISTRACTED DRIVING?
- Lead by example, parents. Talk with your teenagers about distracted driving. Remind your teen that driving while distracted could result in a suspended license.
- Speak up, teens. If you see friends driving while distracted, talk with them or let your parents know.
- Educate, teachers. Driver’s education is not mandatory in West Virginia; however, you can get certified to teach.
STEALEY LAW & MEDIATION | PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER IN WEST VIRGINIA | DISTRACTED DRIVING IN WEST VIRGINIA
Getting in an accident is scary, especially as a teen driver. If you need auto accident lawyer, call us today.
To help ensure your teen’s safety, download our free app to know what to do after an auto accident.
This free resource lists out the steps any person should take after an accident to protect legal rights and personal safety.
At Stealey Law and Mediation, we see far too many auto accident injury cases that are the result of distracted driving.