Roughly 8 people die every day in crashes involving a distracted driver, and 3,142 people were killed by distracted driving in 2019, a 9.9% increase from 2018. The data available for 2020 are no better: The first nine months (Jan.–Sept.) saw a 4.6% increase in road fatalities.

Distracted driving risks the lives of everyone on the road, which is why many states, including Florida, have laws against texting and driving. Despite the obvious harms and the legal repercussions, 35% of drivers admit to sending a text or email while driving, according to a 2018 AAA survey.

Literally Driving Blind

Why is it so dangerous? Well, it takes a car travelling at 60 miles per hour the length of a football field (roughly 360 feet) to come to a complete stop. Every second a driver’s eyes are away from the road, they are driving blind for 88 feet.

Multiply this by 5 and you could easily have a tragic accident on your hands. A “quick” 5-second peek at a phone to read a text, send a Tweet, or like a post, doubles your stopping time. In effect, you will travel the length of a football field before you even realize you need to react.

Fortunately, the same technology that can be so hazardous is adapting to help keep drivers safe and un-distracted. There are now a variety of safe driving apps to prevent distracted driving. Their core goal is to make your phone inaccessible while you’re driving.

It’s simple, and it could save your life. Just one simple download could help you become a safer driver.

Safe Driving Settings and Apps

The best way to avoid phone distractions while driving is also the easiest—and it’s a built-in feature!

You can forego third-party apps by enabling your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature. Nearly every mobile device comes equipped with a “Do Not Disturb” mode. So, whether you have an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel, you can use this feature.

iPhone users can find the toggle in settings, under the “Do Not Disturb” tab. You can also customize the feature. For example, you can set it to activate when your phone connects to a car’s Bluetooth system or when you start moving. Plus, the feature can send autoreplies to contacts that lets them know the person is driving and will reply later.

On top of “Do Not Disturb” mode, Android has Android Auto and Apple has Apple CarPlay, both of which increase hands-free capabilities.

Samsung Galaxy phones also have a setting called Focus Mode that’s intended to help people manage their time using the device. You can designate what apps are allowed and preset times of the day for Focus Mode to kick in. So, parents could set a teen’s phone to initiate Focus Mode with all apps disabled every morning while they drive to school.

Distracted Driving Apps

For those who need a bit more to convince them to put down their phones, you can look into downloadable apps. Here are some of the most highly rate apps available to keep you and your teen focused on the road.

Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst

Every parent hopes their child is a safe and responsible driver. But with smartphones being almost ubiquitous among teenagers, every time they get behind the wheel, they will be tempted to sneak a peek at their phones. Even a momentary lapse in attention can be disastrous.

It isn’t simply that distracted drivers are more likely to cause an accident; they’re also less likely to avoid an accident. Promoting safe driving habits and cautioning teens about distracted driving is critical for their all-around safety.

If you or your teenager drive is unlucky enough to be injured by a negligent, distracted driver, we can help. You have the right to hold the negligent parties accountable and to receive compensation for your damages.

Don’t let an aggressive insurance company force you into accepting less than you deserve. The personal injury lawyers here at Personal Injury & Accident Law Center would love to speak to you about your case and tell you how we can help you get on the path to recovery. Call us today at (561)372-3800 to schedule a free case evaluation or fill out the confidential form below and a team member will contact you soon.