It’s no secret that we rely on our smart phones more than almost any other product out there. And when it comes to texting and driving, avoiding your phone behind the wheel is easier said than done.
If you’re anything like me, it seems like the only time you think of something important that you have to tell someone is either while you’re driving or as soon as your head hits the pillow. Sure, we can decide not to reach for our phones while driving, but using this red light to knock out just one of those things on your rapidly growing laundry list of communications can’t hurt anybody, right?
Wrong. And now Apple is doing something to make it easier for everyone to drive safely.
The newest iPhone operating system—iOS 11—will feature a function called “Do Not Disturb While Driving.”
Similar to the already existing “Do Not Disturb” mode, the phone will withhold notifications until the feature is disabled. The difference is that now, the phone will detect via bluetooth or cable if the device is inside of a moving vehicle. If so it will automatically slip into the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode until it detects the user is no longer in a moving vehicle, or the feature is manually disabled by the user.
Beyond just bluetooth and cable connectivity, Apple is using a wifi doppler effect to measure if you’re moving in a car and enact the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode.
Drivers will still be able to see navigation through Apple Maps (because how did anyone drive before GPS??), but inputting destinations will be disabled.
It’s a way to take your driving safety to a whole new level.
You may be thinking this is silly, everyone knows not to text and drive. Sure we know, but there’s a huge difference between knowing and doing.
“It’s just a quick peek. We have it all under control. I know I shouldn’t be doing it, but it’s too hard to stop. What’s the harm, right?”
That seemed to be the general consensus of eight teens who were asked what their reasons were for texting and driving—that is, before Jacy walked in the room. As she sat face-to-face with each of them, she told them her story in a video sponsored by It Can Wait:
Wait for it…this could save your life | @SummerBreak 4
Share with someone you couldn’t live without and make the streets safer for everyone. #ItCanWait
Posted by Summer Break on Tuesday, August 23, 2016
When she was 21 years old, Jacy was on her way home from her college graduation ceremony when another driver was so distracted by his phone that he caused an 18-wheeler to swerve, hitting Jacy’s family’s car. Both of her parents were killed, and Jacy spent two months in the hospital fighting for her life before having to re-learn every basic skill all over again. She’s now partially paralyzed, and her heartbreaking story is a serious wake up call for those of us who innocently “just take a quick peek” while driving.
Nobody should have to endure what Jacy has at the hands of others being irresponsible with technology. It’s wonderful to see Apple taking action and putting features in place that make it easier than ever to never text and drive.
