DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: San Antonio Safest Driver Contest
SUMMARY:
A briefing on the results of the San Antonio Safest Driver Contest, a citywide campaign to educate and encourage drivers on safe driving behaviors as part of Vision Zero.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) developed the Safest Driver application that is a complete mobile telematics solution for extracting actionable insights on driving behaviors. The application uses mobile phone sensors to measure driving behaviors to include acceleration, braking, cornering, speeding, and phone distraction. The application analyzes the data collected and then provides drivers with tools to analyze their driving in order to achieve real behavioral change through immediate and ongoing feedback.
The driving behavior data collected and tracked by the Safest Driver application was used to determine the San Antonio’s safest driver through a contest. The feedback and gamification in the application engaged users and helped improve driving behavior. In support of the San Antonio’s Vision Zero initiative, the Safest Driver Contest utilized two of Vision Zero’s essential elements (5 “E”s) for a safe transportation system; education and encouragement. By accurately measuring driving quality and providing driver feedback, the Safest Driver Contest brought awareness to roadway safety and made San Antonio drivers better through friendly competition resulting in safer roadways.
ISSUE:
The San Antonio Safest Driver Contest began in June 2018 and ended in September 2018. The contest sponsor, United States Automobile Association (USAA), provided nearly $70,000 in cash prizes and significant resources needed for a successful contest. With 14,149 participants, the contest was a huge success. San Antonio was the third city in the country to host a Safest Driver Contest; Boston had 5,407 participants and Seattle had 4,150 participants. Even more exciting were the results showing increased safety on our roadways. Distracted driving decreased by 29% and speeding decreased by 45% among the top contest users. Lastly, CMT and USAA are using their experiences in San Antonio to pursue contests in other cities helping spread the message of Vision Zero and roadway safety. Most recently, the Cayman Islands launched a Safest Driver Contest and several other cities are interested.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are no alternatives associated with this briefing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
There is no action associated with this briefing.