When SafelyGo reached out to me to review their new app for Verizon Wireless, I was like “right on” and might have done the \m/ sign. There were no readily available mobile phones when I started driving. They were only see in movies like “Sixteen Candles” and sadly no one in my family drove a Rolls.
Fast forward 26 years and recently, I’m sitting at a traffic light on Independence Boulevard in Charlotte. It’s three lanes each way. As I was stopped at a traffic light, I noticed everyone in the front row of cars looking down at their phones. So, I looked to each side for my car and they were all looking down at their phones. Surely not everyone was looking at their phone, so I looked in my rearview mirror. Yep, everyone looking down and tapping on their phones.
I’m not shocked.
However, I’m selfish and concerned about my safety while on the road. I did what any child of the 80’s would do that has a car with a very loud sound system. I turned Van Halen up to an obnoxious level and got everyones attention. (At least they were looking at the road and not at their phones!)
But in all seriousness, I’ve seen my fair share of accidents resulting from distracted driving. Five years ago, on my way to Atlanta with my girlfriend, Janet, we came across on accident on I-85 early in the morning that was hidden by tarps. We both knew from experience this was the sign of fatality and later that day learned a young woman had died while texting and driving. She drifted under a tractor trailer and there was nothing he could do to avoid the accident.
Phones are powerful. We send them with our children because we worry about their safety. But what happens when that item is distracting them and putting them in harms way. How do you protect your children from the very device you put in their hands?
That’s why I love the Safely Go app. When I first heard about it, I was a little skeptical There should always be a healthy dose of skepticism when reviewing anything like this. However, it soon changed my mind.
What is Safely Go?
SAFELY GO IS YOUR ONE-CLICK TICKET TO DISTRACTION-FREE DRIVING:
- Allows only calls and texts only from your 3 “VIP Contacts” (like your family or boss)
- Tells everyone else you’re on the road and driving safely, through automatic text replies
- Enables calls through your Bluetooth or other hands-free devices.
- Gives you access only to your top 3 “Driving Apps” (like maps, navigation, or music)
After downloading Safely Go, you set it up with up to 3 people you can call while in the car. When the app is activated, my screen is locked and I only have access to my *VIP* contacts (my husband and son), along with the 3 apps I’ve chosen to be my preferred apps (maps, navigation and Field Trip).
If I’m driving and someone sends me a text, SafelyGo sends them a text, to let them know I’m driving. My phone is silent the entire time and I’m not disturbed. SafelyGo also enables call through your Bluetooth device so driving is truly a hands free experience as your hands never leave the wheel.
Safely Go can also keep you focused on more than just the road:
- Lock your phone to minimize distractions during meetings, class, and family time
- Practice “digital wellness” by being in control of your phone, not “compelled” by it
- Work and play better, by concentrating on being where you are, while effortlessly letting contacts know you’ll get back to them soon
While no app is perfect, Safely Go is a little extra piece of mind. While no app ever prevents distracted driving 100%, drivers committed to safety won’t mind the 5 seconds it takes to turn Safely Go on as they head out for their daily commute.