Uber Technologies Inc. presented on Wednesday new features to improve road safety, including speed alerts to drivers and rest reminders when they have been working for too long. The new update will be available in 11 U.S. cities.
The private transportation network has allied with the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, to reduce the impact of the “four D’s: drunk, drugged, distracted and drowsy driving”. Uber said it services may have an effect on reducing rates of accidents caused by drunk drivers.
The company has also published new data showing how it might have contributed against the four D’s. An association called Mothers Against Drunk Drivers is currently promoting Uber as its “designated driving app.”
Uber said there’s a relationship between decreases in DUI arrests in Atlanta and increases of the company’s growth in the same region. From 2010 to 2015, drunk driving arrests have fallen over 32 percent in the capital of Georgia.
Uber taxi services in Atlanta are more frequent when bars close. The company has recognized that several other factors may interfere in drunk driving rates. 80 percent of Uber riders admitted that taxi services have helped them to prevent drunk driving.
28 Americans die every day as a consequence of motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk people, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is the same as one death every 53 minutes. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes is $44 billion.
The CDC explains that drinking two alcoholic drinks can cause “some loss of judgment, relaxation, altered mood and decline in visual functions.” Drinking four to five drinks can lead to poor muscle coordination, concentration loss and impaired perception.
New app features for drivers: daily reports, reminders, and speed alerts
Uber has been working alongside the Governor’s Highway Safety Association to introduce new safety features. The app for drivers will now provide daily reports showing them their driving habits and “suggestions on how to provide a safer ride,” said Uber in a press release issued Wednesday.
Drivers who work for extremely extended periods of time will receive reminders suggesting them to take a break. Drivers who work for long periods will receive reminders suggesting them to take a break. The app will also display messages to alert drivers if they are surpassing speed limits.
“We believe that by providing people with more choices, we can help them make better decisions; and by using new technology we can improve safety for everyone on the road. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July,” added Uber in a statement.
New features for drivers will be only available in 11 U.S. cities. Uber said more cities would be added to the list in the coming months. Here’s a video featuring Dorothy Chou, Head of Safety Policy, talking about how Uber may have an impact on safety road:
Uber has been paying attention to drivers over the last weeks. On Monday, it introduced a new feature that allows them to play music from Pandora stations for free, without advertising.
Source: Uber Press Release