Vodafone encourages motorists to DriveSafe
23 December, 2014
Vodafone encourages motorists to DriveSafe
Vodafone is encouraging more customers to take advantage of its free DriveSafe service to remove the pressure to check and reply to TXT messages while on the road this Christmas.
Launched in 2012, DriveSafe allows Vodafone customers to set up an automatic, ‘out of office’ style reply to TXTs they receive while at the wheel. The service is activated by a free short code which sends an immediate response to incoming TXTs stating that the person is driving and will respond when it’s safe to do so.
Last month AA Insurance revealed texting was the number one driver distraction* in their annual Drivers Index survey, which asked 1,000 regular Kiwi drivers aged 18 and over to rate different driver distractions. The results showed one in five Kiwis still send TXT messages while driving, which almost 50 percent of younger drivers (18-24 years) flouting the law.
Vodafone’s Consumer Director, Matt Williams is encouraging all customers to use the service.
“DriveSafe is a simple and free way to remove the urge to check your messages while driving, particularly during longer trips away at Christmas. If people know you’re driving, they won’t expect an immediate reply.
“Our mobiles allow us to live more connected lives, but while the technology is empowering, we recognise the need to help mitigate some of the risks that come with irresponsible use.”
Matt adds: “It’s against the law to TXT while driving. Let people know you can’t reply without taking your hands off the wheel by using DriveSafe – that way you’ll stay on the right side of the law, and the left side of the road!”
How to use
DriveSafe:
• Before you start driving, free
TXT ‘Drive on’ to
760
• Incoming TXTs will
receive this auto-reply: “I’m driving right
now. I’ll read your TXT as soon as it is safe to do so.
Vodafone DriveSafe.”
• When you arrive at your
destination, free TXT ‘Drive off’ to
760 then check the TXT messages you
received
*1st equal: Texting on a mobile phone & Reading a newspaper or magazine (Source: AA Insurance Driver Index survey 2014).
Vodafone is the
only telecommunications company in New Zealand to offer
DriveSafe, which won the Global Telecoms Business Innovation
Award two years ago.
• DriveSafe is for all Vodafone
customers – both On Account and Prepay
• DriveSafe
sends auto-replies to TXTers no matter what network they are
on, however only Vodafone customers can access the
service
• There are no charges for using the DriveSafe
freeTXT service. This includes turning DriveSafe on or off
and sending the auto-replies. Auto-replies sent while the
service is on will not be deducted from your TXT
entitlements. If used overseas, standard overseas SMS
charges will apply
• DriveSafe is for TXT messages
only
• We recommend using a hands-free kit to answer
calls received on your mobile while driving - DriveSafe
works in conjunction with any hands-free kit
• If you
forget to turn DriveSafe off, it will automatically switch
off 24 hours after it was turned on
• When DriveSafe is
on, people will only get the automated response once,
regardless of the number of times they TXT
you
• Auto-responses will not be sent to senders using
iMessage
• The first time you use DriveSafe it may take
a few minutes for the service to
activate.
ENDS