Over three thousand five hundred people die every year because of texting while driving. Distracted driving has become the number one reason why roads are unsafe, especially with the rise of unhealthy phone habits and addiction. A Globes report states that 25% of accidents are caused by using cell phones, and about 1.6 million accidents occur per year.
With a growing number of unhealthy addictions, one Israeli company is trying to stop distracted driving at its source. SaverOne is both software and hardware which limits a driver’s phone. When the app is downloaded and sensors are installed into the car system, only GPS apps and phone calls are available to the driver. Once installed, the driver doesn’t have a choice.
While it might not seem like drivers will voluntarily agree, Ori Gilboa, CEO of SaverOne, is also working with insurance companies to offer discounts, as well as governments to create a policy. They are the first company is Israel to go public since the start of COVID-19, with a fresh investment of $7.5 million. However, the company and its founders have a greater cause.
On their website, they state that “the battle against cell phone distracted driving is one of the main challenges in the battle for road safety. Past experience indicates the need to change dominant paradigms, examine new approaches and solutions, and consider this issue from different perspectives. Concentrating on key issues such as cell phone addiction, will facilitate the efficient means for facing the challenge of preventing life-threatening actions, resulting in the prevention of millions of accidents each year.”
