The Georgia Department of Transportation launched a new mobile app to encourage Georgia drivers to drive safely. The app features a contest for the title of safest driver. (Pexels)

The Georgia Department of Transportation launched a new mobile app to encourage Georgia drivers to drive safely. The app features a contest for the title of safest driver.

Credit: Pexels

The Georgia Department of Transportation, in partnership with Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) announced Aug. 1 the launch of a safe driving app used to prevent crashes and improve road safety.

The Reach Home Safely app allows drivers to participate in a contest for the title of safest driver.

According to a press release, the app, available to all Georgia residents, ensures drivers "Drive Alert Arrive Alive."

The app includes:

  • a driving score;
  • feedback on driving behaviors;
  • and contest rankings.

GDOT partnered with the Atlanta Braves for the promotion and prizing to support the initiative.

For the contest, participants must download the Reach Home Safely app from the App Store and Google Play Store.

"After activating the technology, participants only need to drive safely — the app automatically detects when they’re driving."

Driving data for the contests is anonymous and only processed by CMT.

The contests include weekly, monthly and grand prize winners throughout the Braves' regular season. The prizes include merchandise, access, experiences and more.

Safest Driver programs have been shown to make roads safer, according to CMT.

For other Safest Driver contests, CMT reports:

  • 48% in reduction in distracted driving;
  • 38% decrease in excessive speeding;
  • 57% drop in hard braking.

CMT also estimates that reducing distracted driving by 10% could prevent 4,100 crashes, 19 fatalities, and $160 million in economic damages annually in Georgia.

"Ensuring that every Georgian reaches their destination safely is our top priority," said Russell R. McMurry, Georgia DOT Commissioner. "By partnering with CMT on the Reach Home Safely app and through the support of the Atlanta Braves, we're leveraging innovative technology and the power of community to tackle risky driving head-on. The Reach Home Safely program is more than just a contest — it's a movement towards safer roads across Georgia."

Tags: Georgia  Georgia Department of Transportation  Atlanta Braves  app  Safe Driving Campaign  driving  contest