AARP Launches Free App to Encourage and Reward Safe-Driving Practices

AARP launched a free smartphone app that empowers drivers to stay safe behind the wheel by analyzing five key driving behaviors linked to increasing safety and preventing crashes. AARP SafeTrip™ measures driving quality based on acceleration, braking, cornering, speeding and phone usage, and rewards success in each area or encourages improvement if needed.

“Even the most experienced drivers can benefit from seeing how safe they are on the road and if they could use some improvement,” said Josh Dunning, Vice President and National Director of AARP Driver Safety. “AARP SafeTrip serves as another milestone in our commitment of more than four decades of helping keep drivers safe, confident and independent.”

AARP SafeTrip was developed jointly with Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) and AARP Driver Safety. Since 1979, AARP has helped older adults keep up with the ever-changing transportation landscape through AARP Driver Safety programs and resources. AARP SafeTrip was designed to work in concert with the lessons and concepts found in AARP Driver Safety programs, including the flagship AARP Smart Driver™ course, the nation’s largest and longest-running defensive driving course designed for drivers 50 and older.

According to research from The Travelers Institute and CMT, a majority of drivers (69%) admit to risky distracted driving behaviors using their smart phones, such as taking calls, texts or emails. Data from CMT shows drivers who use a telematics app at least three times a week are 65% safer and 57% less distracted than those who don’t.

“AARP’s millions of members will have access to the AARP SafeTrip app, giving it the opportunity to make a major impact on road safety,” said Ryan McMahon, CMT’s SVP of Strategy. “By helping members win rewards for safe driving, AARP SafeTrip encourages members to adopt safe driving practices, leading to safer roads for all drivers. CMT is proud to collaborate with AARP to promote road safety and reduce driving risks.”

AARP SafeTrip is now available to download on the App Store and Google Play for use with smartphones. Users can earn AARP Rewards points that can be turned into discounted gift cards, sweepstakes entries, and more. AARP membership is not required to use the app, but members earn extra Rewards points and can choose to share and compare their driving scores with fellow members who use the app.

AARP is committed to respecting and protecting consumers’ privacy, so the information AARP SafeTrip collects belongs to users and will not be sent to their auto insurance company. Full information on the app can be found at AARP.org/SafeTrip.

For additional AARP Driver Safety programs and resources, visit AARP.org/drive.