Drive First kicks in automatically when you are traveling over 10 miles per hour by using GPS coordinates on your phone. You can't receive or make phone calls, text messages, or emails. Voice calls go straight to voicemail, and if someone sends you a text while in driving mode, it automatically sends a reply saying that you are driving.
Drive First won't shut off until you are completely stopped for a couple minutes. It doesn't shut off immediately because it allows for traffic flow and stoplights.
There is a way to override the Drive First app, in case you really want o use your phone or if you need an emergency call, such as calling 911. However, a parental control can have overrides notified on the master plan as well.
The app isn't free and only works for Sprint phones running on the Android system, but the Blackberry version should be up and running soon.
I am wondering how many people are actually going to be interested in this app. I know it would be good for parents with teen drivers. I think it has to be an app that isn't free, definitely because teens are smart enough to delete and then re-install apps. Having it cost money will be able to prevent that I think.
I don't really think it would be relevant to any other market segment, unless you were someone that was really trying to stop using your phone while driving.
The only other thing that I can see for this app is for people who live in states where it is illegal to use your phone while driving, such as New York or California. Although unrealistic it may seem, what if those states enacted a law that required cell phone users to have this app on their phone? Obviously only Sprint has this app right now, but I'm sure it won't be long until other carriers or phone systems follow suit, if they haven't already. It also only works with smartphones now, but that can probably be changed too.
Anybody have any thoughts on these things or this app??
Ben - interesting app. Not surprised to see this on the market. I understand the issue, as a dad, I get on my kids when I see them "texting while driving".
ReplyDeleteAlso, I know we don't like to think about "big brother" watching over us or controlling us, but I wonder if Sprint could somehow track the data (maybe an independent source) and then verify the notion that people have fewer accidents if they don't use technology when they drive. Also - I know this would not work - but ... I could see an insurance company willing to offer a better rate for drivers who use this app. Obvious limitation would be proving that the drivers actually use the app.
Good post - could you add a link to your source for the information?
I think this is a very useful app, but it seems to have a lot of holes in the use of the app. I still think this would be very helpful to stop texting and driving, but it will be hard to stop calling and driving. That being said, I worry more about people who text and drive than talk and drive, but the difference is minimal. It's a good start, but needs some improvements.
ReplyDeleteReshia - good point about passengers - I hadn't thought about that.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing is, what about people who are on different vehicles? For example, riding a bicycle. I know it wouldn't be particularly safe to text on a bike going 10 mph, but you could definitely answer a call.
ReplyDeleteI like this app because it could cut down on a lot of the texting and driving. But I agree with other comments as well, it has a lot of holes in it. But with time, this app could become really useful.
ReplyDeleteBen
ReplyDeleteGood post - only 1 small change - put the link behind text instead of showing the URL. Let me know if you need help with this.