A study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has revealed that smartphone applications monitoring driving behavior can significantly improve driver safety, with positive effects persisting even after the apps are no longer in use. The research involved 1,400 participants divided into four groups: a control group and three groups receiving varying forms of feedback on their driving habits. Over a 12-week period, those receiving feedback exhibited reductions of up to 13% in speeding, 21% in hard braking, and 25% in rapid acceleration. Notably, these safer driving behaviors largely continued during a subsequent six-week period without feedback, suggesting lasting behavioral changes.
The study's methodology drew inspiration from usage-based insurance programs, which utilize smartphone apps to assess driving behaviors and adjust insurance premiums accordingly. While UBI programs often tie driving performance to financial incentives, the AAA study provided participants with feedback without linking it to monetary rewards or penalties. Despite this, participants reported that potential financial incentives and regular feedback were significant motivators for improving their driving habits.
