6 Apps That Help Prevent Texting While Driving

Written by Staff Writer

You keep hearing it, you may even see it, and now almost everyone in American with a smartphone knows that texting while driving is dangerous. But that doesn't stop most of us from doing it, especially teenage drivers. In fact, an average of 9 Americans a day die in a crash caused by distracted driving, which includes texting. Now a days, 1 out of every 4 crashes involves cellphones, and cellphones increase the likelihood of a crash by 4x the normal amount. Despite these shocking numbers, many people reading this article will still glance at their phone while driving. Okay, so drivers need a little extra help. What about an app? Several apps, some even free, exist to help drivers to stop texting while driving. Below is a list of apps that can keep the phone off while you're behind the wheel.

AT&T's DriveMode

This free app, available on Apple and Android phones, will silence texts message alerts and phone calls while you're driving, and then it sends an automatic reply to those who tried to contact you, letting them know you are driving an unable to respond at the moment. DriveMode activates once your vehicle moves, blocking you from texting, reading, or typing anything, though it still allows you access to your music, 911, and navigation. For concerned parents, DriveMode will send a text to your cellphone if your teen turns DriveMode off or disables it.

DriveSafe.ly

This app, while not free, will read your text messages or emails — it even understands shorthand like "lol" — to you while you're driving. The app also lets you set up an automatic response system, if you choose to do so, or to reply using your voice. Designed to reduce distracted driving and keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, this app is perfect for people who want to know what messages they are getting without getting into an accident.

Sprint's Drive First

Free for Sprint users, this app can detect when you're driving and will lock your phone automatically. It does allow for three VIP contacts and three driving apps you can still reach during this time. Everyone else will receive a message saying you are currently driving and unable to respond at the moment. This app also has a parental lock, giving parents the ability to lock this app onto their children's phone.

Sprint's Safely Go

This free Android app allows texts and calls from three VIP contacts to come through, but it will send an automatic reply to any others, telling them you are on the road and currently unable to answer your phone. It will also let you take a call through a hands free device and gives you access to three driving apps (like music or navigation) of your choice.

Text No More

This free app lets you select an estimated driving time before you get on the road. During the allotted time, the app will block all incoming notifications as well as disable your phone's ability to send texts. However, you can receive incoming calls with a hands free device. But this app does more than protect your life — it rewards you for safe driving. This app has a rewards system set up to send you coupons for free or discounted merchandise for safe driving.

Canary

Compatible with Apple and Andriod phones, this app allows parents to connect their phones to their child's. The app will send an alert to a parent's phone if a teenager is texting while driving, using the phone while driving, and exceeding a parent's preset speed limit. Unfortunately, this app uses GPS and could drain your battery quickly. Some users have also reported that the GPS map gets stuck and provides inaccurate information. As one can see, a plethora of apps exist to help you curb the desire to text while driving. Instead of becoming part of a crash statistic on distracted driving, find the app that you think will work best for your lifestyle and get it on your phone with just a few clicks.