A recent study indicates Apple’s iPhone and its “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature, introduced last year, is playing a minor part in reducing the amount of iPhone usage while driving, knocking 8% off the amount.
According to analysis by insurance comparison site EverQuote in its Safe Driving Report, approximately 92 percent of drivers in the United States use their smartphones behind the wheel. Analyzing usage of the EverDrive safe driving app, approximately 88 seconds of the average 21-minute journey is spent on mobile devices.
To help battle the dangerous habit of using an iPhone while driving, Apple debuted the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature alongside the introduction of iOS 11 last fall. The feature automatically detect if a user is driving, blocking incoming notifications until the vehicle is parked.
From September 19, 2017 to October 25, 2017, EverDrive detected Do Not Disturb While Driving was active on 80 percent of iPhones during the period. Approximately 27 percent of users disabled the feature after initially using it.
Among drivers who kept the feature enabled on their devices, phone usage while driving decreased by around 8%. While that number isn’t huge, every little bit helps.