New Zealand / Technology

Cellphones may make roads safer

20:54 pm on 21 May 2016

Smartphone applications could help update drivers on the latest road conditions, changed speed limits and incidents, says the Transport Agency.

The use of smartphone applications depends on a person being able to access safety information legally and safely while driving, says the plan. Photo: 123RF

The agency's latest Safer Journeys Action Plan said that was assuming that smartphone applications could continue to access up-to-date and accurate information.

"It (also) assumes that a person can access relevant safety information legally and safely while driving, riding or walking (eg through visual or audible alert)," said the plan.

The Automobile Association said it was excited about the prospect of smartphones being used to make the roads safer.

AA spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said technology could help make things safer, but only if it helped, rather than distracted the driver.

"There's a lot of potential benefits that technology could bring in terms of safety, but it's going to be a case of getting that balance right, so there's definitely some challenges there about giving people something that's going to help them improve safety and not risk any unnecessary distractions on the road."

Mr Thomsen said more people had a smartphone than a brand new car, and the AA would support initiatives to make the roads safer.