New app seeks to reduce distracted driving

It does not take a genius to recognize that Michigan distracted driving is a prevalent problem. Any of these distractions can significantly increase the chances of being involved in a car accident. Sadly, innocent individuals are caught in the middle of this dangerous driving and are often forced to face the consequences.

While governments, law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations have been trying to raise awareness of and reduce occurrences of distracted driving, it is still far too common. Now the corporate world is jumping into prevention efforts. Auto maker Chevrolet recently announced a new app it created to deter motorists from distracted driving. The app, which can tell when a car is in motion by using the phone’s GPS function, detects when the phone is picked up. At that time personalized recordings from friends and family members play, reminding the driver to put the phone down and focus on the road.

In an attempt to keep the app engaging, the makers have gamified it to make it competitive. Essentially drivers can score points for avoiding using their cell phone while driving, which will be reflected in a scoreboard. However, the competitive nature may be minimized for a number of reasons, including that the app will only be available for Android users.

The full effect of this app is yet to be seen. But, it is unlikely that it will have a significant impact on the frequency of distracted driving. It also does nothing for those who have already been injured in a wreck caused by a negligent driver. These individuals should be sure to seek legal recourse, as they may be able to recover compensation for the damages inflicted upon them in the car accident in question.