It's every parent's worst nightmare: losing their child, especially by something that could have been prevented. With the advent of tech-savvy smartphones and other handheld devices, distracted driving has become a growing concern for road safety.
After losing her daughter to a distracted driving crash in 2017, one San Antonio mother has advocated for a free app called Safe 2 Save, News4SA reports.
How a Safe 2 Save may effectively curb distracted driving
The app is designed to curb distracted driving through positive reinforcement. It was first launched in 2016 following the death of a student from College Station, Texas, who was killed in a crash caused by a texting driver. Within a short amount of time, the app's user base grew to over 200,000 users and it's usage grew across Texas. It is now poised to go national.
It works by awarding users points for refraining from using their cellphones while driving. As points accumulate, they may be redeemed for prizes. For example, 500 points may be enough to be awarded a Chick-fil-A sandwich.
For every mile driven over 10 mph undistracted, users earn two points. Points will not be awarded if the phone is being moved while driving. In addition, users may upload a picture of their loved ones. If they attempt to use their phone while driving, their phones will display the question "Is it really worth it?"
To get started, you may download Safe 2 Save from the app store on your cellphone. You may then register an account and enter referral code "EMILY."
The KENS 5 video below explains in full detail how the app works and how it can help prevent crashes:
Addressing all forms of distracted driving
Bexar County, for example, is among the worst areas of Texas when it comes to distracted driving crashes. During the first five months of 2019, there were already 21 deaths due to distracted driving. In 2018, there were 394 deaths and 2,340 serious injuries statewide.
In this day and age, the majority of distracted driving crashes are caused by texting and using cellphones behind the wheel. However, we can't forget that there is a much broader range of distracted driving that extends beyond cellphones. Other activities that can cause visual, manual, and cognitive distractions include:
- Eating and drinking
- Multitasking
- Grooming and taking care of hygiene
- Using built-in infotainment features
There is only one task drivers should be focused on behind the wheel: driving. There are no exceptions nor excuses. If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you are within your right to take legal action. The San Antonio attorneys at The Herrera Law Firm have more than 35 years of experience representing injured motorists in cases like yours. Contact us online today to schedule your free case evaluation with our legal team.
