6 Safe-Driving Apps That Help Prevent Accidents
Texting and driving is illegal and can cause serious accidents, but there are some driving apps that can help prevent accidents. It is important to note that no one should access these apps while actually driving. In fact, distracted driving can kill and is one of the main causes of car accidents on roads in the United States. Learn more about how to use safe-driving apps to track your dangerous actions and offer suggestions for improvement.
Frequency of Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving does not only impact car occupants – it can also cause death for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycle riders. According to the latest information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving caused 3,308 deaths in 2022. This is a 16% increase from the fatalities in 2018. Distracted driving represented 5% of all fatal traffic crashes during 2022. Another 289,000 people suffered injuries from distracted driving accidents in 2022.
Many things can potentially distract a driver, such as:
- Eating and drinking while driving
- Interacting with passengers in the car
- Grooming and applying make-up
- Listening to loud music.
However, out of all the possible distractions, texting while driving is arguably the deadliest. Not only does texting take a driver’s eyes off the road, but it also takes the hands off the wheel and diverts concentration away from driving. NHTSA data shows that cellphone usage contributed to 12% of distracted driving fatalities in 2022 and 9% of injuries related to distracted driving. Drivers in the 25-to-34 age group represented 28% of drivers involved in fatal crashes because of distraction from a smartphone.
However, technology is starting to come to the rescue with several safe-driving apps on the market, many of which are free of charge and tailored to teen drivers and their parents. We found six safe-driving apps for smartphones that have proven popular for those hoping to cut down on distracted driving accidents.
Best Driving Apps You Can Use to Prevent Accidents
Some of the best driving apps that help prevent accidents include the following. (Each app is available for both iOS and Android.)
EverDrive
Have you ever wondered how your driving habits compare to those of other people? The EverDrive app measures multiple aspects of your driving, including:
- Acceleration
- Braking tendencies
- Cornering
- Speed.
It measures how and whether you’re using your phone while driving, too. Should the app believe the smartphone is distracting you, it provides an alert to get you back on track with paying attention to the road. EverDrive is free to use.
DriveMode
DriveMode manages a user’s calls and messages while driving to ensure use of a smartphone in a safe and hands-free way. DriveMode includes voice-enabled commands and oversized controls, letting drivers focus on the road. The app silences phone calls and texts once a driver’s speed exceeds 15 mph. DriveMode also features some additional functionalities for the parents of teenage drivers, including being notified when the teen turns off the app. DriveMode is free to use.
OnMyWay
The OnMyWay app automatically disables all your phone’s touch controls any time you’re moving at more than 10 mph. You can use voice commands to control the phone, giving you access to music, telephone calls, and navigation apps. It basically forces you to go hands-free while you’re driving. It is free to use.
Zenroad
The Zenroad app tracks your location and allows you to share it with others. It keeps track of your driving habits at the same time. It gives you a risk score and recommends safer driving behaviors you can try. It monitors your speed and acceleration habits, too. It is free to use.
Safe 2 Save
The Safe 2 Save app provides incentives for drivers to refrain from texting while they’re driving. While using the app, you receive points for every minute you don’t use the phone when you’re moving at more than 10 mph. When you’re done driving, you can redeem the points at a variety of businesses. You can even set up competitions with friends and family who also use the app. It is free to use.
TrueMotion Family
TrueMotion is yet another free app aimed at teens and their families. The app monitors and tracks a user’s driving and encourages changes in unsafe driving behaviors. TrueMotion also includes an incentive for drivers, who can earn points and take part in giveaways. TrueMotion has the added functionality of tracking an entire family’s vehicles, including location and driving behavior.
The Potential Downside of Safe-Driving Apps
While these safe-driving apps are useful, some potential downsides do exist. According to the NHTSA, even hands-free cell phone use while driving can have a detrimental impact on driver performance. The NHTSA further states that hands-free devices, while preferable to hand-held devices, are not risk-free.
However, in the eyes of the law, hands-free phone use is generally permitted at this time, even though there are laws that try to reduce the chances of having a texting and driving accident. This means that hands-free navigation apps and safe-driving apps are permitted, although they arguably provide cognitive and visual distractions. It is safe to say that safe-driving apps will continue to add functionality in the future, reducing distractions and helping to keep us focused, with our eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.
Contact Tyroler Leonard Injury Law If You Suffer Injuries in a Distracted Driving Accident
If you suffer injuries in an accident where a distracted driver was at fault, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. The Minneapolis distracted driving accident lawyers at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law are ready to go to work to try to win your maximum award settlement. We serve clients in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Sometimes the police give the other driver a ticket for violating Minnesota’s distracted driving laws. If they do, this shows negligence on the part of the other driver, making you eligible to seek financial damages. Otherwise, our personal injury lawyers will investigate the circumstances of the accident to look for proof that the other driver was driving while texting or was engaged in another type of distracting behavior.
For a free consultation, call Tyroler Leonard Injury Law today at (651) 259-1113.
Attorney Rachel Sperling Leonard
A partner of Tyroler Leonard Injury Law, Ms. Sperling Leonard practices exclusively in personal injury and wrongful death claims. Specifically, she specializes in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, boating accidents, dog bites, dog attacks, slip and falls, trip and falls, sexual assaults/abuse and other assaults. Some representative cases of Ms. Sperling Leonard’s in the last few years include: a $1 million settlement for an individual injured in a car crash, a $750,000.00 for a man injured when he slipped and fell, a $455,000.00 settlement for an individual injured after falling, and multiple $250,000.00 settlements for individuals injured in motorcycle and auto accidents, among many others. She frequently turns insurance company denials into fair-value offers.
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