Hands-Free Devices Are Much Safer
By now, most drivers know that using a smartphone while driving is dangerous — and in many states, illegal. Yet distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of accidents on American roads. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in 2022 alone. To be safe, experts recommend putting your phone out of reach or disabling it while driving. But many drivers rely on their phones for GPS navigation or music, which makes going completely phone-free feel impractical. The good news is that both iPhone and Android now have built-in features specifically designed to reduce distraction while still letting you use your phone for navigation.
If you have been injured by a distracted driver, our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys are here to help. But first, let’s talk about the tools available to help prevent these crashes in the first place.
iPhone Driving Focus Mode
Apple has offered a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature since iOS 11, and it has continued to improve with each update. On current iPhones, this feature is found within the Focus settings and works by silencing notifications and limiting screen activity while you are behind the wheel. It can also send an automatic reply to anyone who texts you letting them know you are driving and will respond when you arrive.
To set it up on your iPhone, go to Settings, tap Focus, then tap Driving. From there you can choose how the feature activates:
- Automatically — your iPhone detects movement and network signals to determine if you are driving and turns the feature on without you having to do anything. This is the best option for drivers who use multiple vehicles.
- When Connected to Car Bluetooth — the feature activates whenever your phone connects to your vehicle’s Bluetooth system. This works best if you primarily drive your own car.
- Manually — you add the Driving Focus to your Control Center and toggle it on and off yourself each time you drive.
You can customize which contacts can still reach you in an emergency and set up an auto-reply message so people know you are on the road. GPS navigation continues to work normally while the feature is active.
Android Driving Mode And Android Auto
Android phones handle this a little differently depending on the device and manufacturer. Most Android phones allow you to manually enable Do Not Disturb mode by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the Do Not Disturb icon. Android Auto, Google’s driving-focused app, provides a simplified interface that minimizes distractions by limiting what you can interact with on your screen while connected to your car.
For Android users who want automatic detection, apps like Driving Detective are available on the Google Play Store and can automatically activate Do Not Disturb mode when your phone senses you are driving, regardless of which Android device you have. Samsung Galaxy phones also have built-in driving mode settings available through their personal safety settings.
The Limits Of These Features
While Do Not Disturb While Driving features are a step in the right direction, they are not a perfect solution. As of 2024, only 27% of drivers say they use the feature frequently , and all of these features can be overridden with a quick tap. The biggest barrier remains awareness and adoption. Simply knowing the feature exists and taking a few minutes to set it up can make a meaningful difference in your safety and the safety of everyone around you.
The safest approach is still to put your phone completely out of reach before you start driving. If you must use it for navigation, set your route before you pull out of your parking spot and let the audio guide you the rest of the way.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, our attorneys are here to help. At Rector Stuzynski Law Firm, our car accident attorneys have the experience and resources to build a case designed to obtain maximum compensation for our clients. Understanding what damages you may be entitled to recover is an important first step, and we are happy to walk you through the process during a free consultation. Call us today at (719) 578-1106 and let us get to work for you.
