Most of us can agree that texting and driving is hazardous – but we still do it. About 660,000 U.S. drivers are using technology while driving at any given time in the course of the day. In response to statistics like these, 44 U.S. states have made texting while driving illegal. Unfortunately, several research suggest that texting and driving laws do not meaningfully impact driver behavior.


Why? Sherry Dedman of the Distracted Driving Foundation points out that these laws are difficult to enforce: “Most individuals who are determined to text although driving will simply ‘palm’ (or try to hide) the device.”


There are also psychological causes. Chris Thibault, co-founder of 52inc, the app development firm that produced anti-texting app Canary, notes, “It’s a learned behavior.” If we hear that ping, we feel compelled to check our phones, no matter exactly where we are – even if it is illegal.


Some texting and driving laws perform better than other individuals, but they’re not the only answer. Educational programs alone have also come up quick. What’s left? A increasing quantity of researchers say that a technological difficulty wants a technological answer.Numerous apps currently obtainable either interrupt the connection in between texting and satisfaction, or prevent drivers – each teens and adults – from texting in the first location.


Taking the exciting out of texting


Canary, released in 2012, is a single of many apps championing the anti-texting and driving message. According to Thibault, “Canary merely notifies parents when a single of their teenage drivers is speaking on the telephone or texting while driving. Basically, it tells on you.”


Unlike some competing apps, Canary does not block teen drivers from texting. What it does do, in Thibault’s words, is “provide a counter to the discovered behavior.” Its creators hope that teens making use of Canary come to associate telephone use on the road with real consequences – if not from the cops, then from their parents.


Canary does rely on parents to be enforcers. However, Thibault says the strategy is well-liked with both teens and parents, adding, “We’re hoping these lessons will carry over to when their parents cannot track them anymore.” The app is available for both iPhones and Androids. A lifetime subscription fees $ 14.99.


Taking the selection out of texting


For these still fighting the urge, Dedman recommends apps that quit texting (or other telephone use) altogether:“Technological solutions which can not be basically overridden are a greater remedy. They take the temptation away from the driver. In many instances, a driver can’t use their phone to text whilst their automobile is in motion – usually at a price of 10-15 mph.”


Dedman is describing a few distinct apps, such as Textecution. Once activated, the program blocks those in vehicle traveling far more than 10 mph from receiving or sending texts. When the users come to a stop, they can text as standard. Each and every Textecution-enabled device is connected to an administrator, who is notified if a user uninstalls the system. Parents or firms whose personnel drive organization automobiles may possibly be administrators.


Textecution’s automation also comes with downsides. It can only tell that users are moving, so passengers cannot text unless they have administrator permission. If their administrator doesn’t respond, they’re out of luck. The app is only obtainable for Android, with a a single-time expense of $ 29.99.


Canary and Textecution aren’t the only anti-texting apps out there. Most smartphones now come with a totally free app, which generates particular “away” messages for those who text or get in touch with a user while they’re driving – even though users have to activate the app themselves. Other solutions, like DriveSafe.ly read text messages to drivers and can also be programmed with customized auto-responses.


Dr. Daniel V. McGehee, director of the Human Elements and Car Security Investigation Division at the University of Iowa, feels these messages can serve an essential function: “I believe an auto-response that says you don’t speak or text while driving would be quite powerful, simply because it also has an educational component. The legislative element, the technological component and the educational component are the 3 legs of the stool.”


The very best way to stop texting and driving


Technological options can make it significantly far more challenging to text and drive – offered they’re employed. This is why Dedman believes legislative and technological remedies can work collectively: “The ultimate remedy is a law that calls for anti-texting apps be installed on all phones or any such display-intensive device going forward.”


McGehee suggests that anti-texting apps ought to operate by default: “You can always uninstall an app, but if it is default, most people will not – or won’t know how.”


Education also has a portion to play, as long as it is done right. Dr. Kelly Browning, executive director at Impact Teen Drivers, a safe-driving organization, notes:“Habits are hard to break. Drivers need to have motivation to alter their behavior, but research show scare techniques don’t function in the lengthy term.”


And, as McGehee emphasizes, anti-texting and driving efforts may be getting effects we cannot measure yet. “If you appear at the history of safety belts, it took years for them to catch on. It just requires awhile for men and women to uncover the new normal.”


Texting image by means of Shutterstock