July 22, 2018
Texting While Driving is Dangerous & Deadly
Most people understand that texting while driving is dangerous & deadly, but still continue to do it. Ever since the dawn of the modern cell phone, a new form of distractions has come onto the horizon for drivers nationwide. Texting and driving has caused thousands of accidents and even fatal injuries nationwide for many years. In Michigan alone, 41% of young drivers reported that they regularly text and check their emails while driving. This statistic by itself presents a major problem when you consider the number of drivers that this 41% includes. This means that a large number of daily drivers are being distracted constantly by their cell phone. Distracted driving can cause major accidents or even fatal injuries. If you have been involved in a Michigan car accident due to a distracted driver, a Michigan Car Accident lawyer at Elia & Ponto can help you today. They can help guide you through the process of how to file a Michigan auto accident claim.
Our Michigan Auto Accident lawyers have already helped many victims of the distracted driving.
Technology: A Problem
We live in a fast paced society with lots of devices at our finger tips. Our attention while driving is usually divided among several cell phone activities such as music streaming, texting, phone calls, emails, and a GPS while driving. Understanding that in our modern society we have a dramatic need to feel connected. This makes disconnecting from our phones very difficult even for a short period of time. If you are involved in an accident due to a driver distracted by any of the previously listed activities, a Michigan Car Accident lawyer at Elia & Ponto will be able to help you.
So the next question, can the same phone that is distracting drivers be able to assist with alleviating distractions to reduce accidents?
Technology: The Solution
Texting while driving is banned in most States, but the fatalities due to distracted driving continue to rise. Many iOS and Android developers are working hard to develop solutions for consumers to use on their devices to help cut down on distracted driving.
A few iOS and Android applications that help with distracted are:
iOS & Android Apps against Distracted Driving
1. LifeSaver
As one of the top-rated do not disturb while driving apps for iPhone, LifeSaver is able to deter distracted driving for families and fleets. For parents who worry about their children using their iPhones when driving the car, they can use this app to lock the device once the car is moving. For Corporate and fleet customers, LifeSaver will automatically lock at driving speed. The Fleet Portal also provides you with policy management and supports the administration of multiple groups within your company.
2. SafeDrive
SafeDrive is a well-known app that disables texting while driving on iPhone. One interesting feature of SafeDrive is that it rewards you for not texting while driving. Once you exceed 6mph or 10km/h, this app will start awarding you points that can be used toward discounts at participating stores. When you press the release button, you will lose the points made in the trip.
3. DriveMode
AT&T DriveMode is a free safe driving app for iPhone and Android that allows you to silence incoming text message alerts and phone calls so you can stay focused while driving. This versatile app allows you to reply your friend’s message using hands free voice, controls your favorite music, searches the navigation quickly and recommends you a place to visit or a person to call. Now there are both iOS and Android versions available, you can download and have a try.
4. Cellcontrol
Cellcontrol is one of the apps stop distracted driving for those who want to keep safe when using the car. It stops texting, messaging, selfies, social media and more to make drivers always focus on the steering wheel and road. It also enables customized policy zones which gives drivers the freedom to change the police to their selections.
5. TextLimit
Just as the slogan says “Distracted driving kills, TextLimit saves lives”. TextLimit is one of the apps to fight distracted driving that deserves to be installed on every driver’s phones. It prevents predefined features on a phone from functioning when the phone is moving above a certain speed. Besides, users are allowed to set a specific speed, once the car moving exceeds that speed, an alert notification will be sent.
Legislators across many States are taking action against distracted driving. Some of states are lobbying for Textalyzers. Textalyzer is a roadside test that allows the officers to tap into the driver’s phone and scan the recent activity of the phone such as sending a text, an email, and any other violations. If a driver fails the test then the consequences would be the same for those who drinking and driving.
Technology-Free Travel Tips for 2018
If you are hitting the road at any time of the year. Please! Try to consider the following AAA-tips to prevent distracted driving to avoid the unnecessary accidents and even deaths.
- Ask for Help: Always get the assistance of your passenger while driving for the tasks like placing a call, texting or re-programming your GPS.
- Silence your cell phone: Temporarily disable notifications of your phone for texting and calling.
- Concentrate on your commute: Try to concentrate on your commute and tell your friends & family to refrain from contacting during that time.
- Place your phone in the glove compartment: Pull over to check your messages or wait until after you have reached your destination.
- Download a safety app: There are many apps available that are free of charge and can help discourage you while driving such as Sprint’s Drive Fast, AT&T DriveMode, and Verizon’s Safely Co.
- Switch your phone into “airplane mode”: Try to put your phone on airplane mode to avoid the unnecessary distraction while driving.
If you were injured or involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, a Michigan Auto Accident lawyer at Elia & Ponto can help you. We have a experienced team of Michigan Car Accident lawyers who are willing to fight for you. Even if your accident occurred in Detroit, we have a Detroit auto accident lawyer ready to help you now. Do not hesitate to contact a Michigan car accident lawyer at Elia & Ponto today!
