Consumer Reports recently conducted a survey of 622 licensed drivers from around the U.S. to determine the impact of distractions on driving. Some results included the following:

• 41% use hands to send a text.
• 37% use hands to play music on a smartphone.
• 20% use hands to access a web browser or to compose, send, or read email.

41% is a large percentage of drivers texting, especially considering that 47 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban texting behind the wheel. Additionally, 15 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban handheld mobile phone use while driving. In the same article sharing the survey results, Consumer Reports noted that the responsibility to implement safer distracted driving guidelines should be on government but also notably put the onus on industry. As part of the "protections we want for you," Consumer Reports recommended that "tech companies should incorporate easy-to-use pairing capabilities and driver mode, a simplified interface, into devices." In fact, Consumer Reports included Drivemode in their recent article "Technology That Can Reduce Driving Distractions and Their Dangers" as software that can "help save lives." Of course, we at Drivemode embrace this endorsement and Consumer Reports' validating recommendation; indeed, beyond government regulation and personal monitoring or prioritization, drivers must have access to safe, smart technology that is designed specifically for the driving experience. However, Drivemode seeks to move beyond reliance on a device's operating system pairing only with specific onboard auto systems. Furthermore, individual apps that offer a driving version still require negotiation and manipulation between them. Consistent with Consumer Reports' recommendation, the Drivemode solution is a simplified interface, optimally designed for driving, that integrates your apps into one virtual dashboard, no matter what vehicle you are driving. Dash-mount your device and with Drivemode you can take advantage of safer driving features such as voice-to-text messaging, “Do Not Disturb” mode, message auto-reply, and location sharing. With our app integrations, you aren't limited to using one type of navigation system or music player; in fact, with Drivemode, you can even overlay your music player onto of your navigation so you won't miss a beat or a turn! Drivemode’s simple driving interface can integrate many of your favorite apps, including:

• Navigation apps like Google, Waze, HERE Maps
• Music apps like Pandora, Spotify, Google Play Music, Player.fm, Poweramp
• Messaging apps like SMS, Facebook Messenger, Slack, WhatsApp
• Google Now and Google Assistant

Our automotive-grade interface is designed and developed to adhere to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety guidelines for driving apps. We believe that safer driving should not be limited by having the newest car or by juggling apps you don't really want to use. With Drivemode you can easily upgrade your current car to a smarter car, use for rental or loaner cars, and keep your preferences consistent from vehicle to vehicle. Commuters, professional or part-time drivers, car-sharers, and road-trippers can all make Drivemode part of a better, safer driving experience no matter what vehicle they drive.