Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?
You already know that distracted driving (i.e. texting while driving) is dangerous, irresponsible and costs people their lives. Just in case you’re unaware of this fact: According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each day in the United States, more than eight people are killed, with another 1,161 injured due to distracted driving.
Though this fact (among others) is alarming and easy to find on the Internet, when sitting in the driver’s seat, it’s still tempting to reach for your cell phone as soon it rings or vibrates. Therefore, you could benefit from learning about a myriad of apps to help you end this bad habit.
Yes, there’s an app for that!
Apps Worth Trying
From Snapchat to Instagram, the list of applications to download onto your phone is endless. However, have you ever considered using your phone to help end distracted driving? These smartphone apps can help any driver end distracted driving.
Drive Smart
Drive Smart is a free app is all about promoting safety, whether you’re driving in the city or on a more rural road. Specifically, Drive Smart alerts you of how well you drive, and tracks your performance. If you have bad habits (i.e. speeding), the app tells you how to correct them. Further, the app gives you smart coins for driving . . . smart, which you can later exchange for rewards. Invite your friends to use Drive Smart, too, and challenge each other to improve your driving skills.
Safe Drive
Do you ever need help keeping both hands on the wheel? Safe Drive is an application that can help you stay focused on the road, allowing you to safely reach your destination. Much like Drive Smart, Safe Drive will let you earn rewards for not texting and driving. Simply put, the safer you drive, the more points you earn, which can later be used towards discounts at participating stores. Safe Drive tracks your speed, time spent in traffic and distance traveled.
Ever Drive
Similar to the apps mentioned above, Ever Drive will monitor your driving habits, ensuring you’re practicing only the safest measures on the road. Later, the app will send you a diagnostic of your trip, which you can read after you’ve put the car in Park. Then, the next time you place the key into the ignition, you can adjust your driving skills (i.e. don’t apply makeup when you’re cruising down the freeway) to improve your score. Ever Drive also allows you to compete against your friends to try and win driving skills contests and sweepstakes.
True Motion
True Motion is a family-oriented app that tracks your entire family’s driving skills and safety. Particularly, this application is the only one of its existence, as it sends alerts of where your family members are, how they got there, and specific details on their driving methods (i.e. if they used their phone, sent or received a text message, sped or drove aggressively). All trips are graded on a 100-point scale.
Do You Drive Safely?
When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you have a responsibility to drive as safely as possible. You accomplish this task by paying attention to your surroundings. While you cannot predict how other drivers will react, you must do your part to avoid a car crash. Put the phone down, keep both hands on the wheel and don’t speed. Distracted driving kills . . . so keep your eyes focused on the front in front of you!
Brian Flood
Brian Flood is a partner at The Flood Law Firm in Connecticut. In seeing how a large number of his clients have been affected by distracted driving, Brian decided to dedicate his time to educating the community on the dangers of distracted driving. To learn more about Brian and his practice areas go to https://www.thefloodlawfirm.com/firm/brian-m-flood/
