You won’t believe apps used by distracted drivers: Netflix? You Tube?

Associated Press

Associated Press

Google Maps is the top phone app used by drivers when driving, but others have been found to use Facebook, Twitter and Netflix while behind the wheel, according to TrueMotion, a Boston-based company that studies drivers habits.

And drivers are also using Pokemon Go, Android Messaging, You Tube, Waze, Amazon Music, Chrome, and Pandora when navigating roadways.

It’s enough to scare the average driver, but not surprising to insurance reps or local attorneys who deal with distracted driving cases.

RELATEDOSU student killed in distracted driving crash

“Distracted driving is a problem, and it’s increasing,” said Ken Ignozzi, attorney with the Dayton law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz. “A lot of times distracted drivers, they deny or they lie about it. They don’t admit to it because they knows it’s a bad thing.”

In litigation or depositions after accidents, attorneys can request drivers’ cell phone records, Ignozzi said. These computer-generated, automated records are coldly factual — they show phone calls, with dates, times and duration of calls, he said.

“You can understand the maps and the music,” said Elise Spriggs, a senior vice president with State Auto Insurance Cos. in Columbus. “But you’re on Facebook and Netflix and You Tube while you’re driving?”

RELATED: Trucks get blame for unsafe highways, but car drivers cause majority of crashes

Ted Gramer, TrueMotion chief executive and a former executive vice president and chief claims officer with Liberty Mutual Insurance, said distracted driving is “epidemic” in the United States.

>>>RELATED: Fatal truck wreck killing son spurs father to take action

Distracted apps

icon to expand image

“Just the number of accidents that happen tear your heart out,” Gramer said. “You can look at the families that have been destroyed just by four seconds of texting.”

Living with Boston’s infamous traffic, Gramer said he uses his company’s “Mojo” app, which rewards distraction-free driving.

The app tracks trips and the time users drive without distraction. Distraction-free driving — measured by a lack of screen swiping and typing, as well as refraining from hands-free calls — can be redeemed for cash and prizes.

RELATED: Dangerous Highways: Inspectors look for unsafe trucks

In the first quarter of 2017, 27,000 drivers who used the company’s technology logged 68 million miles and cut distracted driving by 20 percent per trip, the company claims.

“There’s been a lack of real creative thinking on how to solve this problem,” Gramer said.

According to Bankrate.com, other apps that help lower distracted driving are:

TextLimit.com

Features: It sets which features are available on the phone when the car is moving, the speed at which they become disabled and specific geographic areas where certain phone features are enabled or disabled. You can also geolocate the phone on a map and receive speed alerts.

Formats: Android, Blackberry, iPhone.

Cost: $24.99 annually per phone.

CellControl

Features: You can use the device with your cellphone to set features that are automatically disabled on your phone. It can be customized for each phone to detect when a phone is being used by a driver or passenger and control access to the phone.

Formats: Android, iPhone, some “non-smart” phones.

Cost: $129 one-time fee for 1 car, discounts for multiple cars.

Canary

Features: You can view the car’s location and get real-time alerts when the phone is used for talking, texting or other apps, and receive alerts when speed limits you set are exceeded or when the car goes outside a perimeter you set. A special emergency button can be customized to send alerts and location to designated contacts in an emergency.

Formats: Android, iPhone.

Cost: Free.

RELATED: Troopers crack down on dangerous driving on I-675

DriveMode

Features: It silences incoming text messages and sends an automatic reply. It activates when the car is moving. It can be set to send automatic alerts to another cellphone if the driver’s app is turned off or auto-mode is disabled.

Formats: Android, iPhone.

Cost: Free.

TextBuster

Features: It locks all text, email and Internet features when the car is running.

Formats: Android, Blackberry, iPhone.

Cost: Free.

About the Author