What do you do while driving? I know I don’t always pay attention like I should. I may be having a conversation with one of my assistants or answering a client’s questions about their policies. I check email and text messages at lights, confirm directions if I’m headed to someplace for the first time, and listen to books on Audible. I guess this means I’m driving distracted, and I know I’m not the only one. But there’s a new app from TrueMotion that may make each of us a better, less distracted, driver.
Distracted driving is a problem. According to the statistics on TrueMotion’s website, www.gotruemotion.com,
- 85% of all drivers are distracted by their phone
- 71% text while driving
- For every 6 minutes of driving time, 1 is spent on the phone
Using our phones while driving increases our likelihood of being in an accident.
- We’re 12.2 times more likely to be in an accident when dialing a number
- 6.1 times more at risk for an accident when texting and driving
- We’re 2.2 times more likely to crash when talking on the phone
Sadly, distracted driving impacts young drivers more than any other age group.
- Car crashes are the #1 killer of teens
- 16 to 19 year olds are 3 times more likely to be in a fatal crash
- Drivers in their 20’s account for 27% of all fatal crashes
But scary statistics only go so far in changing a negative behavior. If they worked, no one would text or drink and drive, smoke, or have unprotected sex. TrueMotion has created a free app called Mojo that measures how safely you, a family member, or friend drives. It provides a score for each trip on a 1 to 100-point scale. The higher the number the safer you’re driving.
Mojo allows you to invite family and friends to join you and compare who’s driving where, when, and how safely based on your scores. A driver’s safety score is measured by whether you’re speeding and driving aggressively or distracted and will tell you when and where on a trip this occurred. Better driving tips are offered, and every two weeks high scorers may be eligible to win a $5 Amazon gift card.
I like the approach Mojo is taking to help people become better drivers by identifying how and when distracted driving occurs, as well as other unsafe driving behaviors. Insurance companies like TrueMotion’s approach too. Progressive, Nationwide, MetLife, Travelers, and American Family have partnered with TrueMotion on their apps. I’ve downloaded Mojo onto my iPhone (an Android version is available too) to see how well it works and ways I can improve my driving.
We all benefit by becoming a safer driver, even if our car insurance company isn’t using Mojo to measure distracted driving. Avoiding wrecks helps us attain lower rates. What do you think? Share your questions, comments, or experiences with me on my Facebook, Google +, and LinkedIn pages. I’d love to hear from you!
