Skip to main content

App to help people become better drivers

For most people, using a smartphone while driving is the last thing anyone would want to encourage in the interest of safe driving. However, major US insurance company State Farm, is launching a new free mobile application, Driver Feedback, which turns a person's cell phone into a pocket-sized driving coach.
February 3, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

For most people, using a smartphone while driving is the last thing anyone would want to encourage in the interest of safe driving. However, major US insurance company 2192 State Farm, is launching a new free mobile application, Driver Feedback, which turns a person's cell phone into a pocket-sized driving coach. The application, available for iPhone and iPod touch, provides users individual feedback about their driving habits and then offers tips on how people can drive more safely.

Research shows that certain driving habits can increase the risk of a car crash. The Driver Feedback app uses the device's accelerometer to measure three essential driving behaviours: acceleration, braking, and cornering. When activated, at the end of each trip, the driver is provided a score and a log of potentially dangerous driving activities. If the app detects especially risky driving behaviours it provides the driver tips for improvement.

State Farm says that the Driver Feedback app is particularly useful for parents teaching teens how to drive. It offers teen drivers and their parents access to useful non-biased driving feedback, to help families have constructive conversations about safe driving. In addition, the app can be a useful and objective tool to help assess a teen's readiness for independent driving.

However, experienced drivers may benefit from this app, too. Research from the National Highway Traffic Administration has shown that hard acceleration, deceleration and cornering are associated with higher crash risk. The Driver Feedback app can help identify problem areas, providing drivers of any age with useful tips to help reduce the risk of crashes.

The Driver Feedback app is currently available for iPhone and iPod touch and is free for anyone to download. Information on the app remains with the user and is not collected or used by State Farm.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • EU urged to fast-track revised cross-border enforcement law
    July 21, 2014
    TISPOL and its road safety partners across Europe are urging the EU to fast-track the adoption of a modified law on cross-border enforcement of traffic offences such as speeding. The modified rules, published by the European Commission, come in response to a European Court of Justice ruling in May that said the existing law, which came into force in November last year, had been adopted on an incorrect legal basis. The ECJ has said the current rules could remain in effect until May 2015 while new legisla
  • 32% of drivers 'very opposed' to car-share
    October 12, 2020
    Otonomo report finds large minority don't want 'public transport-style' car mobility
  • Preparing for connected vehicle technology challenge
    December 14, 2012
    A decision on mandating connected vehicle technology is expected in 2013, when associated political issues such as privacy are likely to come to the fore. Pete Goldin investigates industry’s preparations for the challenge. Once in a while new technology comes along with the power to revolutionise the way we live our lives. Connected vehicle technology could be such a game changer. If mandated in the United States, it could quickly become the status quo for transportation in the US, and such a disruptive cha
  • Sound synthesis makes hybrid and electric vehicles safer
    January 20, 2012
    The growing popularity of hybrids and electric vehicles gives rise to new safety issues in urban environments, as many of the aural cues associated with engine noise can be missing. The solution is to intelligently make vehicles noisier. The rise in popularity of hybrids and Electric Vehicles (EVs) is a result of environmental pressures, shifts in taxation and emerging technologies for batteries and motors. Competition among the car manufacturers means these vehicles need to be cost effective to buy and ope