A community driving app: Would you use it?
Asked by
JSpeer (
362
)
July 3rd, 2014
from iPhone
Had an idea for a very simple, hands-free, app that allows you to communicate helpful messages to other cars on the road while driving.
- “Your tail light is out”
– “your trunk is open”
– “your rear tire looks flat”
– “there’s something on your roof”
– “turn your headlights on”
– “you left your blinker on”
Without giving away too many details of how it would work – I’m wondering of this sounds like something you might use if it became ubiquitous, and many people were part of it.
Here’s how it might work: App is free. If you were part of the community of people using it, you might have a small sticker on your bumper or window indicating that you use the app.
You’d essentially open the app, press a button, identify the car you want to contact, and speak one of the preset messages (you can’t just say whatever you want – like an angry voicemail or something). The driver would get a notification, press “speak message,” and their phone would tell them “a nearby driver though you should know your tail light is out.”
Very simple and safe to use while driving.
What are your thoughts?
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22 Answers
I don’t drive, but it sounds like a good idea.
I once told this person their front light was out. They got out of the car, smacked the light, it went on, and they drove off. I feel like that person would get tired of notifications from others about her light, but it’s the driver’s problem for not getting it fixed.
Great point @dxs ! I hadn’t thought about one person getting the same notification a bunch of times.
There might be a fix to this, like a limit on how many notifications you can receive for the same issue.
Maybe you will only get an actual alert the first time somebody say you’re tail light is out – and any others will just be documented within the app.
Again, great point. Thanks!
Sounds interesting. I’d use it. I often wish I could tell people their tail light is out but I’m too shy. This app would be perfect.
Thanks @ashynM – I’ve always been afraid that I’d drive off the road while trying to gesture to somebody that their head lights are off when it’s dark out – so I figured there should be a safer way
People shouldn’t be using their phones while driving. Don’t encourage the habit.
I understand @jaykay and I agree.
My feeling is that if you put a lot of effort into making it simple enough, it’s no different than turning on your car radio or air conditioner – and it can be very helpful to other drivers. Similar to how Apple has incorporated Siri directly into newer cars with a button on the steering wheel
Sounds very similar to Waze. It is a crowd-sourced gps app that allows you to send out general alerts to the whole Waze community (road construction ahead, police on shoulder, bad weather, etc.) or you can send direct messages to other Waze users.
Like Fluther, everyone uses a screen name and it’s completely anonymous. You also gain points the more you drive.
How would the notification work for the person receiving them. I would be concerned that they would be too distracting. I also think it sounds distracting to be trying to find the car you want to notify that something is wrong, especially for when driving on the interstate.
I’d use it if it had features like ” You’re driving like a dick dude!” lol
Lol @coloma I think everyone would enjoy that feature.
I think I’d just have the app covert that to “A driver near you is saying bad words at you.”
@Seaofclouds: The app (Waze) that I mention above, will not let you send personal notifications if the car is moving.
My thoughts about this app is that there wouldn’t even be a typing feature. You would push one giant button: and speak short instructions. The whole process should take no more than 30 seconds – all speaking. No typing or buttons besides the first one that you barely need to look at to push
@seaofclouds
In North Carolina you will be issued a ticket; the text to the other driver is proof. My 2010 car does most of the items you list already. Giant buttons are still texting in the eyes of the police.
@cookieman If you don’t send the notification while the car is moving, when does it get sent? Does the notification get stored until the car comes to a stop?
I don’t see how an app with one button that you speak into to operate is any different from any other app like the phone, Siri, google maps, apple maps, etc.
It’s up to you to use it at your own discretion. It’s no different than turning on the air conditioner or talking to a friend in the passengers seat
And the whole process will be about 30 seconds
Waze is amazing. Saved me from so many tickets.
Oh sorry, I like the idea by the way. I’d use it.
@Blackberry
How has Waze saved you from getting tickets?
@blackberry I think people can post locations where cops are waiting on the side of the road
@JSpeer @Brian1946 Waze can notify you miles away. It also does traffic, accidents, objects in the road,and other handy things.
It’s a good idea,but has room for great abuse what if the other driver has done something really dumb and you send a message (just for that at the next light I’m going to beat the snot out of you) The idiot getting the message will drive worse than before.
and number 2 what if you don’t have a smart phone what then?
@SQUEEKY2
Reread my description – you can’t say whatever you want, only preset, helpful messages.
Also, if you don’t have a smartphone, you don’t use it…
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