Most of us can agree that texting and driving is harmful – but we nonetheless do it. About 660,000 U.S. drivers are making use of technology even though driving at any provided time throughout the day. In response to statistics like these, 44 U.S. states have created texting although driving illegal. Regrettably, multiple studies recommend that texting and driving laws do not meaningfully influence driver behavior.


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


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


Some texting and driving laws function greater than other people, but they’re not the only answer. Educational programs alone have also come up brief. What’s left? A growing number of researchers say that a technological problem needs a technological resolution.Multiple apps at the moment obtainable either interrupt the connection between texting and satisfaction, or avoid drivers – both teens and adults – from texting in the 1st spot.


Taking the entertaining out of texting


Canary, released in 2012, is one particular of several apps championing the anti-texting and driving message. According to Thibault, “Canary just notifies parents when 1 of their teenage drivers is speaking on the telephone or texting even though driving. Generally, 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 learned behavior.” Its creators hope that teens using 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. Even so, Thibault says the strategy is well-liked with both teens and parents, adding, “We’re hoping these lessons will carry more than to when their parents can’t track them anymore.” The app is accessible for each iPhones and Androids. A lifetime subscription costs $ 14.99.


Taking the choice out of texting


For these nevertheless fighting the urge, Dedman recommends apps that stop texting (or other phone use) altogether:“Technological solutions which can not be merely overridden are a far better resolution. They take the temptation away from the driver. In several circumstances, a driver can’t use their telephone to text even though their car is in motion – normally at a price of 10-15 mph.”


Dedman is describing a few distinct apps, like Textecution. After activated, the plan blocks those in automobile traveling far more than 10 mph from receiving or sending texts. When the users come to a stop, they can text as regular. Every Textecution-enabled device is connected to an administrator, who is notified if a user uninstalls the plan. Parents or firms whose employees drive company cars might be administrators.


Textecution’s automation also comes with downsides. It can only inform that customers are moving, so passengers can not text unless they have administrator permission. If their administrator does not respond, they’re out of luck. The app is only available for Android, with a one particular-time price of $ 29.99.


Canary and Textecution are not the only anti-texting apps out there. Most smartphones now come with a free app, which generates distinct “away” messages for these who text or contact a user whilst they’re driving – though customers have to activate the app themselves. Other solutions, like DriveSafe.ly study text messages to drivers and can also be programmed with customized auto-responses.


Dr. Daniel V. McGehee, director of the Human Variables and Automobile Security Study Division at the University of Iowa, feels these messages can serve an critical function: “I consider an auto-response that says you do not talk or text whilst driving would be very successful, because it also has an educational element. The legislative component, the technological element and the educational element are the 3 legs of the stool.”


The very best way to stop texting and driving


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


McGehee suggests that anti-texting apps should operate by default: “You can usually uninstall an app, but if it’s default, most people won’t – or won’t know how.”


Education also has a component to play, as lengthy as it’s done proper. Dr. Kelly Browning, executive director at Impact Teen Drivers, a protected-driving organization, notes:“Habits are hard to break. Drivers need motivation to modify their behavior, but research show scare tactics don’t operate in the lengthy term.”


And, as McGehee emphasizes, anti-texting and driving efforts may possibly be getting effects we can’t measure but. “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 find the new regular.”


Texting image by way of Shutterstock