Smartphone App to Teach You How to Drive

It was only a matter of time, we reckon, until a gadget like the one we will describe below was invented. Our wait was not in vain, because if you are one of those who are lazy, have difficulties in learning something as simple as accelerating or simply too distracted to do anything, the solution is at hand: the Driver Feedback app.

Developed by insurance company State Farm (makes sense that an insurance company would try to teach people how not to crash their cars, doesn't it?), the Driver Feedback is to be used as a pocket-sized driving instructor. But one that reacts after the fact, sort of speak.

You see, the Driver Feedback app is not actually telling how to drive, but how you have driven. After, for the duration of the trip, it records data like acceleration, braking and cornering, the app can provide you with information about how you behaved as a driver, data like where potentially dangerous activities occurred, driving performance and even a score.

Now, all of the above can be useful, if you're a gamer type of guy who likes to keep scores. But what happens when parents take this app, as State Farm advises, and try to teach their teenage kids the computerized way of driving?

“It offers teen drivers and their parents access to useful non-biased driving feedback, to help families have constructive conversations about safe driving. In addition, the app can be a useful and objective tool to help assess a teen's readiness for independent driving,” says State Farm.

Why the harsh tone in this piece, you ask? Check out the editorial section later in the week and you'll get our point.