2020 has been full of various challenges for all South Africans from road safety-related challenges to the COVID-19 pandemic. We may be more mobile now on our roads as we exit stage 5 of the current lockdown, which means that our streets will get progressively busier again and may continue with the usual level of threats to our safety on South Africa’s roads. Regardless, we should always prioritise road safety and all of the rules of the road.
When using apps on your mobile phone, make sure it is safe to do so, do not operate your phone while driving. It’s dangerous and against the law. Make use of your hands-free kit or your car’s built-in Bluetooth or phone call system. Pull off to a safe part on the side of the road or a public space like a petrol station if you need to use an app.
Mobile safety apps are proving to be very efficient in an emergency. It is easier to report an accident, hi-jacking, etc. and getting the help you need ASAP. We explore a few apps below, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t recommend using any apps.
Google Maps app
The Google Maps app is free to all Android and IOS smartphones. Using Google Maps on your route to your destination can help you avoid delays along the road by rerouting while travelling and seeking the fastest route for you. This is all very helpful if you have a tight schedule between work and home, helping you to avoid a severe accident or a stationary vehicle.
By avoiding serious accidents or stationary vehicles will prevent you from getting stuck in traffic, which can subject you to numerous crimes like hi-jackings or smash and grabs.
You can set your Google Maps app to help you avoid highways or toll gates and help you set up the fastest route. It may help you avoid any traffic jams, accidents or stationary vehicles along your way.
MySOS app
The MySOS app is a free safety app for Android and iPhone users.
The features of this app can help you locate the following:
- Nearby hospitals.
- Nearby police stations.
- It has an emergency alert system.
- It can send an automated emergency message to contacts that you can preselect if you haven’t reached your destination safely.
You can even get a wearable panic device from MySOS company, for an even easier response to an emergency. This device connects to your phone via your Bluetooth.
There are similar apps like MySOS available that can alert preselected contacts when you are in an emergency, but these apps can have a delay when being accessed. The panic button system that the MySOS company offers seems like the quickest way to get an emergency alert across while you are driving and also seems like a safer option as you won’t have to access the app via your smartphone.
iPhone safety feature
iPhones have a built-in Emergency SOS feature. This allows your iPhone to automatically contact an emergency number. You can activate this in your iPhones settings. When this is activated on your iPhone, you can select the sleep or wake button, and you can press one of the volume buttons 5 consecutive times on your iPhone to activate it .
Car insurance companies’ apps
Make use of car insurance apps when it comes to road safety. For example, the PMD car insurance app will offer quick and easy shortcuts to all emergency services like roadside assistance, police and ambulance services.
If in doubt or if you have questions, perhaps contact the police, Arrive Alive or your car insurance company for tips on which app or apps to use to improve your safety on the road.
Speaking of car insurance companies, are looking for a car insurance company that offers affordable cover? Perhaps consider getting affordable car insurance with PMD, which includes benefits such as fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess*.
Disclaimer
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
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Also view:
Smartphone Apps and Road Safety / Roadside Emergencies
Celular Technology and Road Safety
Emergency Response Time and Response to Road Crashes
How to respond to an emergency
Roadside Assistance and Road Safety