App overview
Pros
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Apps are easy and attractive to promote and can
be installed there and then, potentially protecting the
individual from the moment they leave the encounter
with you.
Apps can turn on automatically - ideal for those who
otherwise forget to put their phone out of reach or
turn it to silent.
Many Apps are free and easy to install.
There are a range of Apps that have differing
functions, making them suitable for different groups
of people.
Some apps provide an auto-response to those trying
to make contact with the driver, sending a road safety
message out to others in the process and
contributing to a positive social norm.
It is important to note that apps vary in their
usefulness in improving road safety. Those that are
focused upon reducing offending behaviour will
not remove the risk of hands-free mobile phone
use, and will therefore not remove all of the risk
associated with the action. Be sure that you aren’t
recommending an app that suggests individuals
simply switch to another form of risk.
Cons
• Apps can be easily uninstalled or disabled, and may
be removed if they are seen as inconvenient.
• Some Apps only reduce handheld distraction,
ignoring the risk of hands-free mobile phone use.
• Not every App can be used on every device (some
are restricted only to iOS, for example).
• Some ‘safe driving’ Apps simply make it ‘easier’ to use
a phone while driving rather than preventing
distraction.
• Not everyone has a Smartphone, and hence Apps
cannot be used by all.
• Repeated calls from the same number will override
some Apps, this being deemed a likely emergency
• Many Apps can be personalised, effectively allowing
the driver to choose which forms of notification they
still want to be distracted by.
Which App should we promote?
Make sure that any App that you promote:
• Can be set to activate automatically and does
not require manual triggering
• Doesn’t encourage hands-free use, or too much
focus on ‘avoiding getting caught’
• Prevents all kinds of notifications from getting
through to the driver, not just calls, or texts,
• Is free and easy to install
• Sends out a message to those trying to make
contact that is pro-safe driving
• Is genuine and safe and does what it claims it does!
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