Distracted driving is one of the most persistent dangers on the road. From eating breakfast to sending a text, distracted driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as “any activity that diverts attention from driving.” In 2016 alone, the NHTSA estimates 391,000 car-related injuries were caused by distracted driving, with 3,450 resulting in death. Some research has even suggested that distracted driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.
In order to help combat this public health threat, we’ve put together a list of apps and tips to help make your drive a safer one, not just for you, but for those you share the road with as well.
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1. Download An App
When it comes to distracted driving, phones are one of the top offenders. The easiest way to avoid being distracted by your phone is (obviously) to turn it off. But if you’re navigating unfamiliar territory or listening to music to make your drive more enjoyable, shutting your phone down isn’t always feasible. Fortunately, there are several options to help keep your focus on the road.
Driving Detective: Free on the Google Play store, Driving Detective uses your phone to detect when you are in a moving vehicle and automatically puts your phone in Do Not Disturb mode. Alerts are muted while you are in motion, but users can customize their settings as needed. For example, you can choose to allow calls or texts from select contacts to be put through or to allow alerts from specific apps, like Google Maps.
TrueMotion Family: Developed by a group of data scientists, TrueMotion Family provides a cohesive monitoring system specially designed for families with new drivers (teens make up the largest group of those involved in distracted driving accidents). By tracking movements, the app reports on where individuals in your selected group are, how they got there, and whether or not they’ve been texting or using their phone. When the ride is completed, TrueMotion assigns the ride a grade based on whether or not the driver has been going at high speeds, coming to hard stops, and engaging in other aggressive or dangerous driving habits. It can also keep family members from contacting someone they know is driving. While the app is targeted at families, the rating system for drives can be useful for those who want to evaluate and improve their own road performance.
If you have an iPhone, you can always skip the apps and manually set your phone to Do Not Disturb While Driving. To turn on the safe driving mode, go to Settings. Then, tap on the “Do Not Disturb” heading. Scroll down to customize your settings. You can choose to activate DND manually each time you drive or automatically if you have a Bluetooth-enabled car. In addition, you can write an automatic reply for those who attempt to contact you, letting them know you are driving. In case of an emergency, anyone who needs to contact you can always reply “Urgent” to the auto-reply and their text will be put through.
2. Streamline Your Apps
With increased attention to the dangers of distracted driving, many apps are taking steps to minimize the distraction they can create. One of best examples is the partnership between Spotify and Waze. The former is a streaming music app, and the latter is a navigation app. If you have both, you can now integrate Spotify into Waze so that you can change your music without having to switch apps. Of course, always make sure you program your route in advance!
3. Make The Most Of Voice Commands
Sometimes, there are moments when you just can’t get around needing to use your phone, like if you need to find a nearby gas station or want to double-check the hours of the place you are headed to. In those instances, make sure you have your phone’s voice command enabled and double-check that the apps you need are voice enabled. Also be sure your personal information is updated so you can call out things like “Navigate home” and not have to worry about typing in your address.
If you have an iPhone, you can simply call out “Hey Siri”–no need to hold down the home button. While Siri is usually alright at picking up what you’re saying, you can train Siri to recognize your voice. Go to Settings, then “Siri & Search”, and go through the setup process again.
If you have an Android, make sure Google Voice is downloaded and enabled. Like the iPhone, there’s no need to handle your phone directly, just call out “Ok Google” and let your phone take care of the rest.
4. Preload A Podcast or Playlist
While it’s tempting to personally DJ every minute of your drive, switching between songs and radio stations can be a major distraction. Opt for apps like Spotify or podcast apps (Apple’s Podcast app or Google Podcasts) and customize your playlist in advance.
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