Texting and driving is one of the most common forms of distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 3,100 people are killed in distracted driving-related accidents each year. Although texting is not the only form of distracted driving since it is one of the most common app developers have created ways to help decrease the statistic.
Apps Available For Download
Many apps are available for android and iOS users that can help drivers eliminate their dangerous texting and driving habits. Some of these apps include:
AT&T's DriveMode
This app is free of charge and will silence texts and calls while behind the wheel. It will not only silence the notification but send an automatic reply to whoever tried to contact you, letting them know you are not available at the moment because you are driving.
Once your car moves, DriveMode activates and begins to block texting, reading, or typing. However, it still allows you to access music, contact 911 and use your navigation. For parents who worry about their teens, DriveMode will send you a text notifying you if your teen turns DriveMode off or disables it.
Sprints Drive First
If you are a sprint user, this app is free to use and will detect when you're driving so it can automatically lock your phone. It gives you the option to add three VIP contacts and three apps that will still be available during your phone's "locked" status. Anyone outside your three contacts will receive a message saying you are currently unavailable.
Sprints Safely Go
This app is only available for android users – but it's free! It allows texts and calls to come through from a few selected VIP contacts and sends an automatic reply to anyone else. It also allows you to take calls through a hands-free device and gives you access to just three apps, such as navigation or music.
DriveSafe.ly
Although this app is not free, it will read your text messages and emails out loud to you while you are driving (it even understands abbreviations like "lol"). This app also allows you to set up your own personalized automatic message and give you the option to record the message in your voice. It is designed to reduce distracted driving by keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. It's the ideal app for people who want to stay away from their phones while driving but still want to know what messages they are getting.
Text No More
This is another free app available for download. It allows you to choose an estimated driving time before getting behind the wheel and will only block notifications during the allotted time period. This app is different from others because it rewards you for your safe driving. It has a system in place that sends you coupons for free and discounted name-brand merchandise.
Canary
This is an app for the concerned parents of teenage drivers. It allows parents to connect their child’s phone to their own. It sends alerts to the connected phone if their teen is using their phone while driving or exceeding the speed limit. Sadly, this app does enable GPS, so it could drain a phone's battery quickly.
Contact A Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been injured in a distracted driving-related accident, contact one of our attorneys right away. We have the skill and experience to handle cases just like yours.
Contact one of our award-winning attorneys today at (970) 292-7171 to schedule a free consultation and discuss the details of your case.