Texting while driving (TWD) is an unfortunate side-effect of the popularity of smartphones and messaging apps, and it’s actually quite a big problem; TWD accounted for more than 1.6 million accidents in the United States alone during 2012. Frighteningly, the Ad Council found that 77% of young adult drivers are confident they can safely text while driving, and 55% of young adult drivers agree that it’s easy to text and pay attention to driving at the same time.
However, UppTalk isn’t turning a blind eye to the situation and has launched an initiative called LookUpp to raise awareness about TWD.
“there is no such thing as safe texting and driving”
“We are committed to helping people understand that there is no such thing as safe texting and driving. In fact, texting while driving has been found to be more dangerous than driving while under the influence,” says Jochen Doppelhammer, CEO of UppTalk. “Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field. We at UppTalk believe it’s our responsibility to compel our users to understand how important it is to keep their eyes on the road.”
LookUpp will encompass a multi-pronged approach to communicate warnings about TWD. Eye-opening statistics and safe driving reminders will be shared via in-app alerts, push notifications to users, and the company’s social media channels. The website (www.UppTalk.com) and UppTalk Blog (http://upptalk.tumblr.com/) will share with drivers various links through which they can learn more about the dangers of TWD and pledge not to text and drive. And, upon downloading the app, new UppTalk users will receive an automatic message cautioning about TWD, reminding them about using audio notes to send messages in case of emergencies, and encouraging them to keep their eyes on the road while driving.
a multi-pronged approach to communicate warnings about texting while driving
UppTalk recently launched wireless service in the U.S. and from the beginning has sought to provide “limitless communication” free of traditional carriers. The award-winning cloud-based global mobile app works over WiFi and 3G/4G and lets provides users with cell phone numbers that enable them to communicate for free via voice, text, group chats, and multimedia with any US and Canada cell phone or landline, even if they don’t have UppTalk.
Since UppTalk launched in the U.S. last year, more than one million people have joined the “UppMovement” in order to break free from the stronghold of carriers. LookUpp is now a part of this experience.
“Giving users the means to talk and text freely is our mission,” said Doppelhammer. “Educating them about the dangers of inattentive driving is our passion.”
UppTalk is available for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.