Do Smartphone Apps Hold the Key to Safer Drivers?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Apr. 7, 2025) – New AAA research is finding evidence that certain smartphone apps could reduce risky driving habits, while also enabling drivers to save on their auto insurance based on their actual driving.

“More than 40,000 people die in crashes each year, often because of risky driving behaviors,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Technology that encourages drivers to avoid these behaviors could be the key to reducing injuries and fatalities on our roads.”

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The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studied the effectiveness of ‘usage-based insurance’ (UBI) programs, which are commonly used by insurance companies to offer customers incentives for safe driving. Participants download a smartphone app, which monitors their driving habits. The app tracks risky driving behaviors like hard braking, speeding and distracted driving. Feedback and safe driving tips are then provided to improve the driver’s score. After a series of drives, a final UBI score is issued, which determines whether the customer is eligible to save on their auto premiums

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety sought out to determine whether providing feedback and incentives – typical of UBI programs – enhances driver safety. More than 1,400 people participated in this national study, which was conducted over a 24-week period. The trial examined the use of speeding, hard braking, and rapid acceleration.

During the first six weeks of the study, participants were asked to complete a minimum number of drives to establish a baseline score. Through the next 12 weeks, drivers received weekly text messages with a safe driving tip, designed to motivate and help them change a risky driving behavior.

Researchers noted the following improvements in driver behavior:

·       Up to a 13% reduction in speeding

·       Up to a 21% reduction in hard braking

·       Up to a 25% reduction in rapid acceleration

Participants also reported how helpful the following tactics were in changing their behaviors:

·       67.4% - the potential to earn extra money

·       53.9% - weekly driving feedback via text message

·       45.8% - weekly dashboard (provided detailed driving information for the week)

After the 12-week period, participants were monitored for an additional 6 weeks without any feedback or incentives to determine if their habits would persist in the absence of reinforcement. The study found that, generally, participants continued to drive more safely, indicating that they did so without receiving feedback or incentives.

AAADrive and Other UBI Programs

AAA offers usage-based insurance programs in select states. The program’s name and availability varies by region. Participation in these programs is entirely at the customer's discretion, and they must provide permission to AAA before being monitored. In Tennessee, the program is called AAADrive™.

“The usage of AAADrive™ could help to improve the safety of our roads, while enabling drivers to personalize their auto insurance rates based on their actual driving,” said Cooper. “Safer drivers with a better score can save more on their premiums.”

AAADrive™ is available for AAA auto policyholders in Florida, Michigan, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. To learn more about AAADrive™, visit AAA.com/AAADrive. 

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