Five Safe Driving Apps to Prevent Distractions
Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran
Distracted driving is a dangerous problem across the U.S. From 2012 to 2021, the percentage of drivers using hand-held electronic devices increased by 127%, which has also led to more collisions, injuries, and deaths.
Avoiding phone usage is not only a legal requirement in Michigan, it can help keep you and your family safe when driving. Thankfully, there are several apps to prevent distracted driving that you can use to avoid using the phone while driving or use a hands-free device.
If you’re involved in an accident due to another driver’s distracted driving, our qualified car accident attorneys can help you file a claim and get financial support for your injuries and losses.
Distracted Driving Statistics
Recent distracted driving statistics highlight the severity of this behavior at the national and state level. The National Safety Council reported 3,142 distracted driving fatalities in 2020. This number increased to 3,522 in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In Michigan, these crashes are serious and deadly. In 2022, there were 15,441 distracted driving-involved crashes and 57 fatalities in the state. Surprisingly, the highest incident rate among 25-34 year-olds, with 7,126 accidents.
Apps to Prevent Distracted Driving
Developers have created apps to minimize phone distractions or enable hands-free usage to improve road safety. For a safer driving experience, consider adding these paid and free apps to your iPhone or Android phone:
- Lifesaver. The Lifesaver app is designed to combat distracted driving by locking the phone screen during a drive, preventing access to phone calls, text messages, and social media. It incorporates a rewards system to help you drive safely, offering incentives for drivers who keep their phone usage to a minimum while on the road, enhancing road safety for both the user and others.
- Dont. The Dont app helps you manage and monitor phone usage while driving by enabling administrators, like parents or fleet managers, to set usage rules. It detects when the driver starts moving, automatically activating Driving Mode to enforce these rules. If the driver breaches these guidelines, such as by making calls or using restricted apps, the app notifies the administrator, promoting safer driving habits.
- EyezUp. EyezUp uses GPS to detect driving and restricts phone access to reduce distractions from calls, texts, and social media. By tailoring settings, you can determine which alerts are critical enough to be received while you and your family members are driving. This configuration helps maintain focus on the road, simplifying the avoidance of distracted driving dangers and enhancing the safety of your driving surroundings.
- Drivemode. Drivemode simplifies the driving experience by offering a hands-free interface that allows drivers to operate their phones through voice commands and gestures. This reduces the need to manually handle the device or divert attention from the road, merging essential phone functions into a distraction-free environment.
- OnMyWay. OnMyWay encourages drivers to avoid phone use while driving by offering rewards for miles driven without texting. The app automatically activates when you start driving, offering an effortless method to encourage safer driving habits through real-time incentives, effectively reducing the temptation to engage with the phone.
Get Legal Guidance After a Distracted Driving Crash
Despite using apps to prevent distracted driving, another driver’s actions, like texting or going over the speed limit, can cause an accident, leaving you with long-term consequences to your finances and mental health.
Our qualified attorneys at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can help you recover these losses in a car accident settlement claim. We will investigate the crash, determine liability, and work to get you the recovery award you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.
Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.