By Erin Duffy
Texting and driving can be a death sentence — if your teen texts and drives, he or she is 23 times more likely to experience a car accident than someone not distracted by their smartphone, according to an AnsonAlex.com infographic. As you teach your child to use discretion while texting behind the wheel, keep in mind the smartphone is not always the enemy. Whether you need to instantly file an insurance claim or lock down your phone so it’s impossible to send or receive texts, the following driving and roadside apps can help teen drivers be safer and smarter on the road.
Gas Buddy
Gas Buddy is an app the budget-conscious can’t leave without, especially if the gas prices in your area drain your bank account every time you fill up. Using Gas Buddy, you can have current pricing information provided by users right at your fingertips. Gas Buddy is free and available on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Blackberry.
RepairPal
Not another fender bender… Track your repairs with RepairPal, and you’ll know in detail what’s been performed to your car. Tracking your entire repair history provides mechanics with an explanation of your car’s past damages, and then proper repairs and replacements can be made. Also, rely on RepairPal for agreeing on a reasonable price for services because the app compares average repair prices with other shops. RepairPal is a free iOS and Android app.
State Farm Pocket Agent
For that unexpected moment you find yourself in an accident, you’ll be thankful you can quickly access an app, take pictures and file the claim as soon as it happens. You can contact your agent through the app, review vehicle damage and take pictures to record accident details. Pocket Agent features also include bills and payments and your insurance card as well as a locator for a repair facility, agents, tow trucks, and rental cars. State Farm’s app is a free app on Android, iOS and Kindle Fire.
Parkopedia
Trying to find a parking garage or parking spot downtown can be less stressful and frustrating with Parkopedia. The app has on average 25 million logged parking spaces in 40 countries and more than 6,000 towns. In the palm of your hand, you can access information about paid and free garages as well as details, such as opening hours, updated prices, space availability, and height restrictions. Parkopedia costs $1.99 and is available for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Nokia, and the mobile Web.
greenMeter
Greenmeter monitors the way an environmentally conscious driver operates the car to determine efficiency, fuel consumption and environmental impact. The app’s innovative features include simulated acceleration, eco-driving displays and parameters computing. greenMeter is available on the iOS app store for $5.99.
Car Locator
Car Locator is an app that takes you directly to your car using the power of a GPS. It has two primary panes on the app — the first is a map, which provides you with an approximate location of where you parked. The second is details, which informs you about how long you’ve been at a meter before you’re fined. Car Locator is a $3.99 Android app.
Erin Duffy is a freelance writer who loves her iPhone and covers the latest smartphones in the news.