Drivers in the study improved on all unsafe behaviors except for handheld phone use while driving. (Credit: rh2010/Adobe Stock)
Smartphone apps that monitor driving and give feedback could lead to safer roads, according to a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
The study looked at speeding, hard braking, rapid acceleration and use of handheld phones while driving. Researchers divided more than 1,400 participants into four groups:
- An observation group was used as a control — their driving was monitored but they received no feedback or bonus incentives.
- The standard feedback group received weekly feedback and advice via text messages on all the behaviors monitored.
- The assigned goal group had one specific behavior assigned to them and were provided with weekly feedback and advice via text on just that one behavior.
- The chosen goal group picked one behavior to work on and set a goal for improvement. They were given weekly feedback and advice via text messages on their goal.
Over a 12-week period, the three feedback groups saw a 13% reduction in speeding, a 21% reduction in hard braking and a 25% reduction in rapid acceleration.
However, there was no change in the drivers’ use of handheld phones as a result of the app feedback.
The groups with assigned and chosen goals tended to engage with their dashboards more and showed greater improvement in driving behaviors.
Among the participants, 67.4% said the potential to earn money was a good motivator for changing their behaviors. Weekly driving feedback via text message (53.9%) and a weekly dashboard providing detailed driving information (45.8%) were helpful but less of an incentive.
After the study period, drivers were monitored without feedback or incentives. The study found they continued to drive more safely.
It’s a good indicator that insurance programs that monitor driver behavior, if designed correctly, could lead to safer roads.
“It’s encouraging to see that many individuals stuck with safer habits even after the study,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy, in a press release. “This shows that positive reinforcement, not just punitive measures, can lead to safer driving habits that can save lives.”
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