Driver Technologies, a New York-based technology company, has published new research that shows its Driver safety app and dashcam have resulted in safer and more responsible driving.

The firm studied data from more than 17,000 motorists in a 20-hour period and discovered that they were four times less likely to skip stop signs and three times less likely to tailgate another vehicle or practice hard braking. The most significant improvement concerns speed; users were eleven times less likely to speed. As an added bonus, the app can also coach you to become a better driver. It's like having Ted Lasso mounted on the dashboard.

"We believe the cell phone is a significant contributor to the increase in distracted driving," said Steve Kiefer, chairman of the Kiefer Foundation, which main mission is to end distracted driving. "Our mission is to bring an end to distracted driving - we believe that cell phone-based technologies, such as the Driver app, are one element that can help bring an end to this dangerous behavioral issue."

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nine people die daily in the United States due to distracted driving. That's a chilling statistic, even though road deaths declined in the second quarter of 2022.

Driver Technologies CEO Rashid Galadanci explained that more than 3,000,000 accidents in the USA involve phone use yearly. The company hopes to use smartphones for a greater purpose through the Driver app.

"We're excited to share new data that shows our technology, which includes how telematics and computer vision [to] help coach drivers around the country to implement safe driving behavior to help reduce accidents and improve overall road safety for drivers and their passengers."

The Driver app doesn't just act as a dashcam but also boasts some nifty safety features. This includes a forward-collision warning system and driver fatigue monitoring alert function. With the Driver app, owners of older cars can now upgrade their vehicle safety by adding these features. After all, not everyone can afford a safety technology-laden car like the Volvo XC90.

Galadanci told Automotive News that his company didn't conduct the study to prove the app created safer drivers. Interestingly, while building the coaching program - which scores the driver based on certain behaviors - he noticed that app use tied in with safer driving.

"And we were like, 'That's it.' That's a beautiful outcome," said the co-founder and CEO. He added that the Driver app has a positive effect on road users as they become aware of their habits and behavior. The coaching function lets them look back and see where they can improve by highlighting problem areas while driving.

In the latest vehicles, drivers benefit from several driver-assist features. While they're undoubtedly beneficial, some studies have shown that not all of these systems are as good as they could be. The American Automobile Association found last year that some driver-monitoring systems give the driver too much leeway, which could lead to a dangerous situation.