In today’s society, it is becoming increasingly common for cell phones and smartphones to play a role in every aspect of daily life. One place where they still do not belong, however, is in the hand of a driver. Tempting as it may be to answer a quick text message while behind the wheel, or snap a cool selfie while stuck in traffic, doing so can have detrimental and even deadly consequences. To help keep people from engaging in these potentially dangerous activities, software developers across the globe have invented smartphone apps that offer drivers incentives for safe driving practices, or in some cases even impair the phone’s usability while the vehicle is in motion.
One such smartphone app is AT&T DriveMode. This app works by blocking all talking and texting functions on the phone on which it is installed when the vehicle is moving over 15 miles per hour. It can be set up to automatically start once the car reaches this speed, so it is not necessary to start the app every time one gets behind the wheel. Additionally, this app has the functionality to allow users to set up their own incentives either for private or public groups of drivers.
LifeSaver is an app that works similarly to AT&T DriveMode, in that it also blocks one’s ability to use his or her phone while driving. This app also utilizes a GPS monitoring system and can be set up to alert friends or family when the driver has safely arrived at his or her destination. LifeSaver operates off a rewards system to offer incentives for choosing to drive without distractions.
Another safe driving app is called Key2SafeDriving. It works primarily with Blackberry devices, although it is compatible with some other smartphones. Again, this piece of technology restricts phone accessibility when a car is running. Its unique feature, however, is that it sends automatic replies to incoming text messages. This app can be particularly useful for parents because it requires a password to set up, and it sends notifications if the driver tries to bypass the system. For a new, teen driver, this app has the potential to literally be a lifesaver!
For Apple devices, Safe Driver is an app that helps drivers engage in safe driving practices in a different way. Rather than blocking a phone’s function, this app works to provide a report card, so to speak, of an individual’s driving practices. This is another piece of software that parents of new drivers may find useful, as it can be configured to send text or e-mail alerts when the driver exceeds a specific speed. It also has a GPS component that allows a parent or guardian to see exactly where the unsafe driving practice occurred. The basic version of this app is free to download, and the pro version is available for the price of $4.99.
One last app that we will mention is called DriveSafe.ly. Once again, this app does not impair a phone’s function in any way. Rather, it adds to it! When this app is installed and in use, it will read aloud any text messages, Facebook messages, or tweets that one may receive while they are driving. This feature allows the driver to still receive those important messages while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.
The apps mentioned in this post are just a select few of the many similar products available currently on the market. For new drivers and seasoned ones, downloading a safe driving app of some variety to your smartphone is a worthwhile investment, one that could save a life. And the life you save by driving without distractions could be your own.
After spending his secondary years of study at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, G Turner Howard III earned his BA at Tulane University. A member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, he received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Before becoming an attorney, he earned a Master’s and Doctor of Divinity at Andrews Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary. He also served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army in Vietnam. With more than 20 years of experience, his firm has helped clients receive millions of dollars for personal injury, and in many cases, much faster than they ever expected.
