As Distracted Driving Awareness Month rolls on, one U.S. insurance company is doing their part to help cut down on the dangerous practice. Esurance recently introduced a free phone app that can block calls, texts, emails, internet use and other programs while a car is in motion.
Motorists who use the app, particularly young teens, can benefit from the lack of distractions normally associated with phones. Once the free program has been downloaded, all users have to do is plug a device in the car's on-board diagnostics port and they can enter settings for which devices they want to control. From that point on, whenever the automobile is in motion, phone usage is blocked until the car is completely stopped.
"Distracted driving of all kinds is a critical problem," said Robert Passmore, a senior director at the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. "This is a great example of how our members have led the way on auto safety issues. PCI has long supported efforts to promote awareness of the issue and technology is one tool that people can use to protect themselves, their passengers and fellow motorists from the hazards of distracted driving."
While some drivers may want to block certain programs, other phone apps, such as maps, traffic news or directions, can be extremely helpful. Canadian Underwriter reports that the app can be configured to allow certain programs, enabling the use of positive resources while still eliminating causes of distracted driving and hopefully limiting things like auto repair, crashes and injury.