NOWADAYS IT SEEMS like everybody is glued to their phones so why not turn your mobile into something helpful whilst driving. These five apps are some of the more useful for drivers making it easier to get around, avoid traffic, find suitable parking, reduce stress and cut out distractions.
Just please remember to set the app up before you start to drive, as it is an offence to hold a mobile phone in your hand or support it with another part of your body, for example between your head and shoulder, when you are driving. Make sure you keep your eyes on the road and not your phone.
1. Waze
If you get stuck in traffic Waze is a great app to help you find an alternative route. Waze users update maps to notify other uses of road closures, roadworks, accidents and traffic jams, etc.
You can also search for POIs along the way like coffee shops and petrol stations. When you search for petrol stations it also brings up the price per litre of fuel at nearby pumps so you can navigate to the cheapest one. It also shows you nearby parking areas. It’s a very handy app that makes getting from a to b a lot easier. Just make sure your phone is plugged in when using the app as it does seem to drain the battery.
2. Parkpnp
This app helps you find and rent cheap car parking in Dublin from over 2,000 spaces across the city. These spaces are rented out by users and could be their driveway or other private parking space.
You can book your space hourly, daily, weekly or monthly and you can search by facility – seeking out spaces with EV chargers, CCTV, underground spots or spaces behind security gates. It really does take the hassle out of looking for on-street parking or suitable parking when heading to events/concerts/matches etc.
3. Park by Text
Park by Text allows you pay for your parking using your phone so no more looking for change for the metre or running back to the parking metre to top up. You link a credit or debit card to the app to top up your account and then you use the app to pay for parking at over 300 locations across Ireland. Simples.
4. Spotify/Soundcloud/iTunes
Research has suggested that listening to music with a steady but fast beat can help motorists concentrate in complex situations and is good for urban driving. Listening to music can also reduce stress and road rage. However, you don’t need a super sophisticated stereo system to reap the benefits of music therapy. Simply download Spotify, Soundcloud or iTunes to your mobile and then stream or download the Sounds for Driving playlist and let the power of music to its thing to make you a better and calmer driver.
Driving in the city is filled with distractions and the last thing you need is your mobile taking your attention away from the task at hand. Of course you could just switch off your phone when driving but not many people seem to want to do this so Toyota and the RSA have designed an app that will reward you for every kilometre that you drive without picking up your phone. You get points for not looking at your phone and the points can be redeemed against hot drinks at Topaz Re.Stores.
The app is for drivers of any make of car, you don’t have to drive a Toyota. Yes, it is a sad state of affairs when we have to gamify road safety but the app works really well and if more companies get onboard and more rewards are offered this app could go a long way towards getting people to put down their phones when behind the wheel.
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