Only 20 percent of drivers use free distracted driving tools

If there was a way to improve your chances of staying safe on the road, would you use it? It appears most of us do not. According to Cambridge Mobile Telematics, only 20 percent of drivers utilize the free “do not disturb” feature while driving on their devices. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and UScellular wants to provide tips on how to utilize this feature and other apps and resources to help drivers stay focused and prevent distracted driving.

Distracted driving isn’t limited to just talking or texting on your phone. Any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, including eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, changing the radio, entering information into a navigation system, or even putting on makeup, are considered distracted driving.  Once behind the wheel, drivers should be focused solely on driving safe, protecting not only themselves and their passengers, but others on the road as well.

“Maine residents can’t drive safely unless driving has their full and complete attention,” said Brandi McCune, director of sales and operations for UScellular in New England. “While devices can enhance safety on the roads, they can also be a distraction. It’s important for drivers to know all tools available to eliminate distractions, whether it be an application, a feature on your device, or a family decision you are committed to upholding. Our associates are here to help answer questions on all these and more during Distracted Driver Awareness Month.”

 UScellular is offering the following tips to help drivers remain focused and alert while driving. 

·       Use do not disturb while driving. Built-in phone features are available to help drivers stay focused on the road. Driving Focus and Driving Mode can be utilized on iPhones and Android phones, respectively. This mode uses a “do not disturb” feature by limiting notifications, calls, and texts when driving. Individuals sending a message will see that the driver has silenced notifications or will receive an automatic reply, depending on settings. Incoming calls are only allowed when connected to CarPlay, Bluetooth, or a hands-free accessory, and individuals can ask their smartphone digital assistant – like Siri or Bixby – to read replies. Explore these modes to see all the features, settings, and allowances.

·       Take advantage of apps. A wide range of applications are available to help eliminate distractions, focus on the road and track locations. OnMyWay allows drivers to earn money for every mile they do not text or use distracting apps while driving. The application also has a feature that can allow Maine businesses to establish a distracted driving policy. Business owners will have the ability to offer incentives to employees who practice safe driving while providing an added layer of protection for their employees and community.  

·       Establish rules of the road for new drivers. For parents of teens or young adults, a simple yet effective step is to establish rules and expectations with loved ones before hitting the road. UScellular has partnered with Screen Sanity to offer a free, customizable Smarter Start Toolkit to help aid in this process. Families can outline rules for phone usage while driving – such as not texting and driving, keeping location and driving data apps such as Life360 and GeoZilla Family Locater active, and other important details like curfews and nighttime driving limitations.

·       Utilize Bluetooth and handsfree options when necessary: Mobile devices serve as a resource for music, driving directions, and more. Before hitting the road, connect your device to your vehicle. This pairing process takes just minutes, our local UScellular associates set up these features at no charge for you if needed. And, if you have an older vehicle that does not have this capability, after market solutions such as the Scosche 3-in-1 Universal Car Mount for Smartphones are available to add Bluetooth and voice activated services.

·       Encourage safe, responsible driving behavior from the passenger seat. Passengers also have the power to help stop distracted driving behavior. Speak up if a driver appears to be distracted and ask them to focus on driving. Help reduce distractions by recommending alternatives, like offering to text or navigate on behalf of the driver.  

To learn more about this topic and how to utilize available resources, go to National Safety Council Distracted Driving Awareness Month and screensanity.org/uscellular.

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses, and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has donated more than $23 million in hotspots and service to help youth connect to reliable internet. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.