Can Apple’s Smartphone App Prevent Texting While Driving?

Distracted drivers using their mobile phones are responsible for thousands of accidents each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) statistics suggest that mobile phone use while driving was responsible for 3,477 deaths during 2015. Apple’s recent iOS 11 update included a new app designed to reduce fatalities and injuries caused by mobile phone use while driving.

The Do Not Disturb While Driving app was designed to prevent the temptation to use an iPhone while driving. The app can detect when you are driving and disable most iPhone features until you come to a stop. If you do receive a text message, the sender will receive an automated reply that warns them you are driving. You can alter the settings to allow notifications from certain people. People who are texting you can also type “urgent” in the message to bypass the settings. Do Not Disturb While Driving has flexible user options.

There is more than one way to use the app. You can set the app to turn on automatically. This will cause the app to lock your phone once it detects you are driving. In addition, you can manually turn the app off and on. Finally, you can use the app with your vehicle’s Bluetooth. In this case, the app will still lock you out of most features, but will allow you to take hands-free calls. If you are a parent with children who drive, you can keep your teenagers from turning off or modifying the app’s settings. You will need to go to your iPhone’s settings and adjust the app's restrictions. The idea behind this app is quite simple. If you never receive a text message, then you cannot be tempted to answer. The temptation could also be less severe if you are unable to access your phone while driving.

What if I Have an Android Phone?

There are also anti-distracted driving apps for Android users. You could download Samsung’s In-Traffic Reply app. This app can also detect when you are driving and send an automated message. AT&T’s DriveMode app (available on both Android and iOS) can silence text messages and phone calls. It can also send automatic replies to people who try to call or text you. Even though these apps are readily accessible to millions, there will still be thousands of distracted driving deaths each year.

If a distracted driver harmed you or a loved one, contact Mike Love & Associates, LLC today. We fight to hold distracted drivers accountable for the damage they cause.