Distracted Driving – The Smartphone Paradox

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Can the smartphone seen as the ultimate distraction be the paradoxical key to safer teenage driving? Parents in a recent survey believe so. Join our July 13 webinar on distracted driving to find out more.

Since 1975, at least 36,000 Americans have died every year in traffic accidents and despite 13.2% fewer miles being driven the fatality rate increased 7.2% to 38680 deaths in 2020. This is the highest number since 2007

In the U.S., the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are sometimes referred to as the “100 deadliest days.” Sadly, 30% of all teen driver deaths in 2021 will occur during this short time period.

Trying to separate a teenager from their smartphone is tough; they seem to be constantly texting, taking photos, playing games or video chatting.

Unfortunately, teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes which is a result of limited development of skills, lack of experience, and their immaturity. All of these factors add up to mean teens are more prone to potentially dangerous distraction – regardless of source – although smartphones have multiplied the number of distractions they must contend with while driving.

According to a recent consumer survey commissioned by Smith Micro Software, 70% of parents believe that smartphones put their children’s generation at higher risk for distracted driving-related accidents. Four in ten parents (40%) stated that their teen driver had been involved in a distracted driving-related accident, and 63% believe their teen is more likely to get into an accident caused by distracted driving when they’re driving or riding with their friends.

Paradoxically, the same survey also showed that parents believe that smartphones could be part of the solution when it comes to teen driver safety. Almost six in ten parents (57%) said they have or would consider using a mobile app to monitor, detect, and report on their teen’s dangerous driving behavior, while nearly seven in ten (69%) said that a mobile app with this functionality would be helpful in teaching their teen safer driving habits.

While driver distraction monitoring technology is gradually being added to new vehicles and will be required by law in the E.U. from 2024 onward, there are other ways to monitor driver activity.

SafePath® Drive, which Smith Micro launched last year,, is a white-label mobile app that can be offered via cellular providers or other service providers in the automotive ecosystem. It utilizes the sensors embedded on smartphones to detect, track, and report on dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, hard cornering/braking, and risky smartphone use.

Instead of an extrinsic reward for the parent of a reduced insurance premium, the app is designed to tap into the intrinsic motivations of the teenager by encouraging positive driving through monitoring. The intent is to facilitate good communication and relationships between parents and teenagers

Join me during our upcoming webinar “Smartphones: Dangerous Distraction or Driver Safety Companion?”, to hear more from Eytan Urbas, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Smith Micro. Eytan will explain how the smartphone app will provide parents with the knowledge, confidence, and helpful ways to talk to their teens about safe driving habits. We hope this could help make these summer months less deadly, and give parents fewer sleepless nights.

Sponsored blog: Smith Micro software