Smartphone Driving Apps Worth Trying

At DefensiveDriving.com, we want your experiences on the road to be as safe and stress free as possible. To help achieve this, look no farther than your phone (not while behind the wheel, of course). Smartphone apps are quickly becoming a huge part of our daily lives, and there are a wide variety of apps that are driving and car related that are a valuable asset for any driver. We have compiled a list of some of our favorites that you should check out.

Hands Free:
Mobile phone use while driving is the main culprit of distracted driving; so many apps have been developed to help prevent this dangerous practice. If you cannot be out of touch with your emails and texts while driving, consider investing in a hands-free application such as DriveSafe.ly Pro. This program is available for Apple, Blackberry, Android and Windows phones and is designed to read text messages and emails out loud while you are driving in addition to allowing you to verbally draft your responses. You can also purchase hands free GPS apps such as the Magellan RoadMate that give verbal directions for your desired route.

Phone Blocker:
Help protect your teen drivers by eliminating the temptation of partaking in distracted driving by using a phone blocker application such as txtBlocker and TeenSafer. Because there is a higher prevalence of texting and distracted driving in teens, these apps are designed specifically for parents to restrict cell phone use while driving by disabling keypads and blocking incoming calls, e-mail, and text messages. According to Consumer Reports, these apps are activated when the phone is in pre-set zones, time blocks or once it is moving faster than a specified speed.

Gas Price Comparison:
Save money on your next tank of gas by using a price tracker application such as AAA’s Triptik or Gas Buddy. These apps help you find the best deal in your area by comparing current prices from your local gas stations. This will also be beneficial for out of town trips because it will give you directions and a map to the gas station you choose.

Accident Help:
Car accidents can be a scary and stressful situation for any driver, but applications such as Iwrecked (available on for Apple and Android) can help ease the stress and guide you through the steps that need to be taken. This program allows you to instantly access all of the information about your car (make, model, insurance details), and gives you fields to fill out with the contact and insurance information of the other party. Iwrecked also allows you to create accident reports in pdf forms, contact the authorities or your insurance company at the touch of a button and find nearby taxi and towing companies.

Auto Repair:
Breakdowns, repairs and preventative maintenance are all aspects of car ownership that can prove pricey, but applications like RepairPal, Auto MD and DriverSide will help you find the right mechanic at the best price in your area to complete the work. These apps allow you to compare mechanics based on customer reviews, get price quote estimates specific to your make of car, and locate roadside assistance such as tow trucks.

Our next blog will look at more controversial apps that allow drivers to stay one step ahead of police officers by alerting users of upcoming red light cameras, speed traps etc.

~R. Quick