Speaking on mobile phone and replying to text messages while driving are one of the leading causes of road accidents. To prevent them, Samsung Electronics Benelux B.V. has introduced In-Traffic Reply, a new app that aims to help drivers reply to messages without taking their focus off the road.
This is not the first time Samsung is releasing apps for drivers. It released S bike mode for bikers last year that lets them activate pre-recorded message for all callers, motion lock feature to ensure rider comes to a halt before answering, urgent calls filter and more.
The app uses GPS and other sensors and automatically activates when it detects when you are riding a bike or driving a car. You can choose to send the default reply (“I’m driving, so I cannot answer at the moment.”), a fun, animated response, or your own customized pre-set message.
“Approximately one third of Dutch drivers occasionally use hand-held smartphones while driving a car or riding a bike, according to a study. Many of the respondents claim that their reason for doing so is related to the social pressure to respond to calls and messages quickly,” says Samsung. It also said that Samsung’s initiatives are supported by several road safety organizations.
Samsung recently started taking signups for beta version of In-Traffic Reply app on Android in Netherlands, and says that hundreds have already singed up. The final version will be released in mid-May on the Google Play Store.