In recent years, distracted driving has become one of the most significant causes of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 2,800 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2018 alone. However, to help combat the rise in distracted driving, there are now several apps for your smartphone that can help you stay focused on the road. By using one of these apps, such as EverDrive, LifeSaver, or HUM, it will be that much easier to resist the temptation of distracted driving so that you can do your part in keeping our roads safer for everyone.
At the Paul Wilkinson Law Firm, we’re dedicated to keeping drivers safer. For many of us, this begins with education, so we’re taking time to learn more about distracted driving and even show you some useful apps you can download to prevent you from the temptation of distracted driving. Keeping our roads safe is a collaborative effort; we’re here to do our part.
Table of Contents
What Causes Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving can take many forms, but in recent years, our smartphones have become one of the greatest distractions. More so than answering a call, texting and driving is a significant hazard because it removes your focus from the road for an extended period. Checking your email on your smartphone is another major distracting factor prevalent for busy commuters. In addition to our phones, there are many other ways to be distracted behind the wheel. Checking directions on your GPS, playing with the radio, eating, or talking with passengers can all easily account for distracted driving accidents.
Types of Distracted Driving
Anything that diverts your attention from driving your vehicle counts as distracted driving; however, generally, there are three main categories: visual, manual, and cognitive.
- Visual distracted driving refers to any distraction that takes your vision from the road.
- Manual distracted driving refers to incidents when you take your hands from the wheel.
- Cognitive distracted driving occurs whenever you take your mind, or your cognitive focus, from the act of driving.
Who is most at risk from distracted driving?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), teen drivers are most at risk of distracted driving. In 2018, CDC data shows drivers aged 15 to 19 were most likely distracted in fatal crashes. Roughly ten percent of all teen deaths in motor vehicle accidents were caused by distracted driving. However, distracted driving isn’t limited to just teen drivers. According to CDC data, 25 percent of distracted drivers in fatal crashes were between the ages of 20 and 29. And, of course, older drivers are not immune to the temptations of distracted driving.
Safe Driving Apps
While our cell phones are undoubtedly one of the leading causes of distracted driving, many companies and app developers have designed specific products to help us stay safer on the road. Here are some of the most popular:
1. LifeSaver.
LifeSaver has become one of the most popular apps aimed at reducing distracted driving. Developed for use by insurers, businesses, or even families, LifeSaver works to remove the distraction your cell phone creates. This free app blocks calls and texts for Android and iPhone users while a driver is in motion. By removing the distraction, this app has proven to be quite effective.
2. EverDrive.
This free app takes advantage of our natural love of competition to help you prevent distracted driving. On Android and iOS, EverDrive assesses various driving factors, including speed, acceleration, and phone use. You can then compare your overall grade with others to see who’s the safest driver in town.
3. HUM.
This unique app, HUM, prevents distracted driving by improving your ability to communicate with your car. Using Google Assistant, you can monitor your vehicle’s health and even find out how many miles are left in your tank. You can also use this app to ask Google questions about finding the next rest stop or other vital questions that might make you want to reach for your phone.
4. Drivemode.
Drivemode gives you a safer, smarter, and more connected driving experience. With the Drivemode app, you can use voice commands to interact with your phone so that your eyes and focus stay on the road. Interact with various applications, such as GPS, Google Maps, or music and messaging apps, in a much safer way.
How to Prevent Distracted Driving.
We all live busy lives, which is why it’s often so tempting to multitask while driving. Since driving often takes up a good portion of our days, especially for commuters, we often view this time as an opportunity to make phone calls, check our email, or even enjoy a meal. But the short time you’ll save is never worth the risk of a car accident that could lead to injuries or even prove fatal.
No matter the situation, there’s always time in the future to answer that phone call or text. When driving, always keep your full focus (including eyes, hands, and mental awareness) on the road. Maintaining focus is a core component of being a safe and responsible driver. Even when you’re not behind the wheel, you can help prevent distracted driving. As a passenger, refrain from distracting the driver and encourage them to practice safe driving habits.
You can also help them perform certain tasks, like checking on directions or finding your location. As a parent, you should always encourage your children to practice safe driving habits. Since distracted driving is so prevalent among novice drivers, this is a conversation you can’t avoid. Talk to your teen drivers about the hazards of distracted driving and strategies you employ to stay more responsible behind the wheel. You can also take practical steps to help them avoid distracted driving, such as limiting the number of passengers they can drive with. However, if you still find you could use extra help to keep your eyes and hands from your smartphone, here are some of the top apps for preventing driving while distracted. Most of these are free and easy to download.
CONCLUSION: 4 APPS TO PREVENT YOU FROM DRIVING WHILE DISTRACTED
In recent years, distracted driving has quickly become one of the leading causes of auto accidents in the United States. While texting while driving is a common source of distracted driving, this problem can take many forms. Distracted driving can significantly increase your risk of being involved in a car accident, whether you’re using your phone, checking your GPS, talking to a passenger, or simply daydreaming for a few moments.
If you are ever in a distracted driving accident, contact a Paul Wilkinson attorney at (303) 333-7285.
The Paul Wilkinson Law Firm is a team of personal injury attorneys in Denver, CO serving victims of car, truck and motorcycle accidents. Each of our lawyers is licensed with the Colorado State Bar (CBA) and specialize in injury law.
We've recovered tens of millions of dollars in personal injury settlements and verdicts for our clients. For 13+ years we've helped thousands of people get back on their feet after experiencing serious injuries. We will take your case to trial and get the maximum settlement possible.
