How this feature helps reduce crashes caused by distracted driving, AAA study
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – In a recent study conducted by AAA, the 'Do Not Disturb' feature on smartphones decreased distracted driving by 41 percent.
In Massachusetts, texting while driving was banned in February 2020 as part of the state's 'hands-free' law. Although texting while behind the wheel is banned in almost all 50 states, more than 3,200 people were killed due to distracted driving in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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In an effort to prevent drivers from receiving notifications while driving, Apple launched the 'Do Not Disturb While Driving' feature in 2017. However, despite the potential to reduce distraction, this feature is not widely used by drivers.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released its findings on why drivers avoid the do-not-disturb feature. They say that misconceptions about how this technology worked, FOMO (fear of missing out), such as missing an important call or text, limit access to features such as music or navigation as well.
During the research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, it showed that when the do not disturb feature was activated, it can be effective in reducing smartphone interactions when driving. An on-road study was conducted with participants aged 18-24 who were monitored for 10 weeks, five weeks with no intervention, and five weeks using a smartphone feature.
AAA found the following results during the 10-week driving study:
Before training:
50% of participants did not know their phone had a DND feature.
85% reported not knowing how to use it.
65% did not know it could be set to turn on automatically when driving was detected.
After training:
100% of participants knew their phone had a DND feature, knew how to use it and knew that it could be set to turn on automatically.
There was a 41% decrease in smartphone interactions.
Participants were 6% less likely to pick up their phone.
Opinions of DND features remained unchanged.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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