New Mobile and Web App Transforms the Smartphone from Detractor to Driving Coach

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Most teens know using a mobile phone while driving is a bad idea, but nearly 60 percent of high school seniors admitted in a recent CDC study that they text while driving. Now a new free app called DriveScribe is a game-changer. It turns the mobile phone from detractor into driving coach and motivates teens to drive safely with social competition and rewards.

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Distracted driving has risen to an epidemic level and teens are at the most risk. Texting while driving increases the chance of crashing by 23 times and car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens. DriveScribe, the first mobile and web app of its kind, uses patent-pending technology to deliver automated, real-time driving assistance while improving driving skills over time.

After every driving trip, DriveScribe instantly calculates how well the teen drove on that outing, and also provides them with a Safe Driver Score™ that includes points earned for good driving performance.

"DriveScribe takes the very device that is distracting most teen drivers and turns it into something that not only coaches them but offers a path to rewards," said Will England, CEO of Drive Power, the company that developed DriveScribe. "Research shows that teens respond to positive incentives. The DriveScribe platform is built on that premise. While the app limits distractions and monitors performance, it also guides and encourages teens to drive more safely by rewarding good driving. It's a win-win: Parents get peace of mind and teens get rewarded when they drive well.

Monitoring driving performance

During a road trip, DriveScribe screens the driver's performance, including speed, sudden movements and compliance with traffic regulations. While on the road, the app provides visual and verbal prompts and warnings through the mobile device. It also allows parents to see how their teen is performing in real time and receive immediate alerts when driving violations – such as speeding or running a stop sign – occur.

In addition, on an Android device, DriveScribe can remove distractions by blocking incoming calls and messages while the app is enabled in a car. Anyone trying to reach the driver will be notified that the user is currently driving.

All of the information gathered during a trip loads to the DriveScribe web app where parents can log in with their teen to view and discuss how they are performing on the road. The customized dashboard provides a snapshot of all driving trips, including specific metrics that allow parents and teens to track everything from miles and hours driven, a list of violations, and their cumulative Safe Driver Score. In addition, parents can see detailed maps of every driving session their teen has taken with the DriveScribe mobile app.

Getting competitive about safe driving

DriveScribe "game-ifies" safe driving by bringing teens together in a fun, competitive and social experience. Teens can compete with friends and family by sharing their Safe Driver Scores in a social community. The points they earn on every safe driving trip accumulate, and parents can add to the pot by sponsoring their driver each month at whatever amount they choose. Points can be cashed in at any time for gift cards at dozens of popular retailers including Sports Authority, the Gap, Dominos and Amazon.com.

"The results of teen distracted driving are tragic and too common," said England. "Every year, 1.6 million new 16-year-old drivers hit the road in the United States. Our ultimate goal is to train these new teen drivers to be smart – and safe." 

Using DriveScribe is free and available for iPhone and Android. To get started, users simply register directly on their smartphone or online at www.drivescribe.com, then download the app from the iTunes App Store or Google Play.

About DriveScribe

DriveScribe is a product of Minneapolis-based Drive Power, a company with a mission to generate behavioral change around driving. Combining mobile and web platforms, it creates software and produces solutions that help people improve driving performance and stay more focused on the road. DriveScribe monitors driving behavior and promotes safe driving with an automated, real-time driving coach and acts as a distraction eliminator by blocking incoming calls, emails and texts. Find more information at www.drivescribe.com.

SOURCE DriveScribe