Don't text - use this app! - Coast Days - Coast FM - Timeless Music by Timeless Artists

Coast

ON DEMAND

Catch up on shows with The Coast On Demand

AUDIO
VIDEO

SITE SEARCH

FOLLOW US ON

Don't text - use this app!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Kiwi drivers still text behind the wheel and there's an app that could save you from an accident or a fine.

AA and the Transport Agency have endorsed the free DriveSafe service from Vodafone, which automatically replies to texts received while the user is driving.

To activate the service, simply text DRIVE ON to 760 and DRIVE OFF to the same number to deactivate. It's been used by 2500 people in the first few months.

It beats a fine and demerit points. Police have handed out nearly 25,000 tickets so far and in May, issued 1171 notices - the second-highest number for any month so far.

The AA is calling for the police to get tougher and suggests a higher fine than the present infringement fee of $80, as well as a larger number of demerit points than the current 20.

Texting while driving topped AA Insurance's top 10 driver distractions for 2011, based on a survey of 3550 drivers.

About 16 per cent of respondents admitted they had used their phones to text while on the road and more than 15 per cent said that despite the law change, they still often used their mobile to text or call without a hands-free kit in their car.

Get a hands-free kit - they don't have to be expensive, or at the very least, use the new service and avoid temptation.

Another idea that a friend of mine uses - simply put the phone out of reach in the back seat. It works a treat!