GeodeTech, a New Brunswick-based company specializing in smartphone technology for the insurance industry, has unveiled a “Distracted Driving” feature for its GeodeVu mobile app.
Citing statistics that driving while distracted can cause drivers to be as impaired as they would be after drinking four beers, GeodeTech hopes to leverage telematics to tackle this immense public safety concern. Its Distracted Driving Alerts will notify motorists of their distracted driving incidents, including the date, duration, and severity of each episode.
In addition to the safety benefits, this information can also be provided to insurance companies to produce cost savings for cautious drivers.
“The addition of the ‘Distracted Driving’ feature to the free GeodeVu smartphone app means this is now the most complete and accurate source of driver profile information available to insurance companies,” Michel Chiasson, CEO of GeodeTech, said in a statement. “Being able to put together an enhanced profile of their customers’ driving behavior, insurers can now set more accurate rates, and offer competitive rebates to reward customers with great driving habits.”
Since data is uploaded in real time to the cloud, it can be provided to drivers as soon as the vehicle makes a complete stop. This will allow for immediate correction of harmful driving behaviors.
According to the Canadian Automobile Association, 20% to 30% of worldwide collisions are the result of inattentive driving, with cell phones being a primary auto distraction. In fact, research indicates that motorists who use their cell phone to talk or text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in an auto accident or near accident.
The app is compatible with iOS, Android, and Blackberry devices, and GeodeTech hopes that this easy access will encourage wide-scale adoptability across Canada.
“GeodeTech’s ‘Distracted Driving’ feature is finally addressing a huge concern in the Usage Based Insurance industry. This allows insurers to account for a major risk factor, but also reward customers who maintain a high standard of safety in their driving habits,” said Greg Ricker, a partner with Sombra Technologies.
