Keeping your focus on the road

Drive safer with Android Auto

Every day, thousands of drivers reach for their phones at a stoplight, in traffic, or worse, on the highway. That moment costs lives.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported that driver distraction ranks as the third leading cause of fatal car crashes. Only excessive speed and driving under the influence top it. When you think about it that way, it's hard to overstate the problem.

Google's Android Auto app is trying to solve this by moving your smartphone's essential functions directly to your car's dashboard. No more fumbling with your phone. The idea is simple: keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

So how does it work? If you have a compatible car (and that list includes Acura, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lincoln, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Opel, Pioneer, Volkswagen, and Volvo), you can link your Android phone to your dashboard system. Many newer models also have steering wheel controls built in, so you never need to take your eyes off the road.

The app handles maps with live traffic and voice guided navigation. You can make calls and send messages by speaking. Music apps like Spotify and Pandora stream through your speakers. Everything is voice controlled, which sounds futuristic but is actually just practical.

That said, these tools only work if you actually use them. A lot of people still can't resist checking their phone at a red light. No app can replace common sense and discipline.

Safe driving starts with you. If you want to understand more about defensive driving and collision avoidance, FinishTodayTrafficSchool.com offers educational resources on these topics.

But the simplest step is this: if your car supports Android Auto, install it and use it. Keep your phone in your pocket. The road demands your full attention.