Wednesday, August 7, 2024–9:45 a.m.
-Press release-
The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) today announced the launch of Reach Home Safely, a safe driving app designed to improve road safety and prevent accidents. To encourage safe driving, drivers will have the opportunity to enter a contest to win the title of safest driver and ensure they “drive alert and arrive alive.” The Georgia DOT has partnered with the Atlanta Braves to promote this important initiative and offer prizes.
Distracted driving is one of the most pressing traffic safety crises facing Georgia and the United States today. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that distracted driving killed 12,405 people nationwide in 2021, nearly as many as driving under the influence of alcohol. CMT data shows that 34% of crashes occur within 1 minute of distracted driving. In 2023, Georgia drivers spent an average of 1 minute and 50 seconds talking on their phones while driving, ranking 43rd nationwide, 12.6% higher than the U.S. average. Georgia’s Hands-Free Driving Law, also known as House Bill 673, was enacted in 2018 to reduce the dangers of distracted driving. The law prohibits drivers from using any part of their body to support or hold a standalone or wireless electronic or telecommunications device while driving.
Safest driver programs like Reach Home Safely have been proven to make roads safer. In other safest driver competitions, CMT has seen a 48 percent reduction in inattentive drivers, a 38 percent reduction in speeding, and a 57 percent reduction in emergency braking. CMT estimates that by reducing inattentive drivers by 10 percent, Georgia could prevent 4,100 crashes, 19 deaths, and $160 million in economic loss annually.
“Ensuring every Georgian gets to their destination safely is our top priority,” said Georgia Transportation Commissioner Russell R. McMurry. “By partnering with CMT on the Reach Home Safely app and supporting the Atlanta Braves, we are using innovative technology and the power of the community to tackle risky driving head-on. The Reach Home Safely program is more than just a competition – it’s a movement toward safer roads across Georgia.”
“By combining Georgia DOT’s vision for safer roads and CMT’s telematics expertise, the Reach Home Safely app can save lives and help make Georgia’s roads safer,” said Ryan McMahon, SVP of Strategy at CMT. “The Reach Home Safely app is another example of CMT’s commitment to using technology for the greater good.”
Reach Home Safely is available to all Georgia residents. To enter the contest, participants simply need to download the free Reach Home Safely mobile app, available on the App Store and Google Play Store. After activating the technology, participants just need to drive safely – the app automatically detects when they are driving. The app includes a driving score, driving behavior feedback and contest leaderboards. All driving data for the contest is anonymized and processed only by CMT. Contests include weekly, monthly and grand prize winners throughout the remainder of the Braves’ regular season and include prizes such as merchandise, access, experiences and more.
