Car apps that are beneficial to every driver

Although cell phones are often responsible for a number of car accidents and motor insurance claims, the effect that they have had on road safety has not been entirely negative.

Cell phone apps can be a huge life-saver when dodging traffic, checking unfamiliar routes and notifying you, if you’re driving above the speed limit.

Did you know that there are a number of apps out there that may actually help to improve your safety on the roads?

Let us investigate five of these apps that are quickly becoming driving essentials.

iOnRoad

The main aim of iOnRoad is to assist you in avoiding dangerous road hazards and to improve your general driving skills. The app immediately alerts you if you do not have a safe following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, as well as if your car begins to veer off of the road or out of your current lane. It also comes with a useful locator feature that helps you to find your car if you ever forget where you parked it.

Priced at just R23,59, it is a car app that is as affordable as it is handy.

MiWay Mobile App

If you’re looking for the ultimate ‘co-pilot’ then MiWay Mobile App is what you should be looking at for inspiration. Not only will this app remember critical details of an accident for you, but it will also be available when you need assistance to replace a flat tyre or take you home safely after a long night, provided you are a MiWay client. All of this is available to you for free from the Google Play or iTunes stores.

 Uber

The number one rule when it comes to safety on the roads is to never drink and drive! Uber is a must-have app that will come in handy the next time you set off for an event you’d like to be chauffeured to. It allows you to request a ride, compare rates, set your pickup location on the map, and track the driver as he makes his way to your destination. The app is free and the service is affordable.

SA Fuel

Almost every driver wants to save money on petrol; especially when the fuel prices fluctuate every few months. The SA Fuel App is a free app which allows you to monitor the fuel prices and notifies you whenever there are changes in the cost of fuel. This makes it easier for you to fill up before the fuel price escalates.

Speed Watcher

Want to improve your safety on the roads by ensuring that you stick to the speed limit? Then you should download Speed Watcher because it is certainly for you. The app comes with an analogue speedometer and odometer that gives speed limit warnings to the driver. Along with this, it also measures your average speed and makes use of a compass heading dial.

The app is free but can also be upgraded to ‘pro’ which includes the feature of saving the location and direction of any speed limits with a single push of a button.

Car Minder

A big part of staying safe on the roads means ensuring that your vehicle is in good working order. This is where the Car Minder app comes in handy. Allowing you to schedule and manage car services for a number of different vehicles, it is the ultimate road safety and maintenance app for families. Track things like when your next oil change, tyre rotation, air filter change etc. is due and ensure that your trusty vehicle is in tip top condition every time you hit the road.  The fact that it costs just R36,99 is a wonderful bonus.

While useful car apps like these may not lower your car insurance premiums, they may reduce your chances of being involved in a motor accident. Be sure to read through the reviews, especially about the phone brands they work best on, before downloading any of these apps to make sure you will not have any problems with it.