ORLANDO, Fla. – New research from AAA suggests that smartphone apps could play a big role in reducing dangerous driving behaviors while also helping drivers save on car insurance.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a 24-week study with more than 1,400 drivers across the U.S. The goal? To see if real-time feedback on driving habits could lead to lasting improvements.
For the first six weeks, participants drove as they normally would, establishing a baseline of their habits. Then, during the next 12 weeks, they received weekly text messages with tips on improving their driving scores. The messages focused on behaviors such as speeding, hard braking and rapid acceleration.
AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins says the results were clear: real-time feedback made a difference.
“This research really proves that people are driven by the promise of saving money, specifically when it comes to these usage-based insurance programs,” Jenkins said. “But it also shows that providing real-time feedback on driving habits is actually a motivating factor to be a safer driver.”
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The study found that participants showed measurable improvements in their driving habits:
- Speeding dropped by up to 13%
- Hard braking decreased by 21%
- Rapid acceleration was reduced by 25%
And what was the biggest motivator? Money.
AAA found that 67% of participants said the potential to save on insurance played a big role in their behavior changes.
But here’s the real surprise: Even after the 12-week intervention ended, researchers monitored participants for another six weeks without sending them any feedback. Most of them continued their safer driving habits anyway.
“Six weeks following that 12-week intervention, we stopped sending the messages, and the drivers continued with those safer driving habits,” Jenkins said. “So it really can make a meaningful improvement in people’s driving abilities.”
AAA offers its own version of a usage-based insurance (UBI) program, called AAADrive™, in select states, including Florida. The app tracks a driver’s habits, assigns a score, and offers potential savings on auto insurance.
Participation is voluntary and drivers must give permission before being monitored. The better the driving score, the more they can save.
With distracted and aggressive driving playing a major role in car crashes every year, this research suggests that technology could be a key factor in making the roads safer. And for drivers, the added perk of saving money might just be the incentive they need to change their habits for good.
For more details on the AAADrive™ program, visit AAA.com/AAADrive.