Vodafone encourages motorists to DriveSafe

Tuesday, 23 December 2014, 10:48 am
Press Release: Vodafone

23 December, 2014

Vodafone encourages motorists to DriveSafe

Vodafone is encouraging more customers to take advantage of its free DriveSafe service to remove the pressure to check and reply to TXT messages while on the road this Christmas.

Launched in 2012, DriveSafe allows Vodafone customers to set up an automatic, ‘out of office’ style reply to TXTs they receive while at the wheel. The service is activated by a free short code which sends an immediate response to incoming TXTs stating that the person is driving and will respond when it’s safe to do so.

Last month AA Insurance revealed texting was the number one driver distraction* in their annual Drivers Index survey, which asked 1,000 regular Kiwi drivers aged 18 and over to rate different driver distractions. The results showed one in five Kiwis still send TXT messages while driving, which almost 50 percent of younger drivers (18-24 years) flouting the law.

Vodafone’s Consumer Director, Matt Williams is encouraging all customers to use the service.

“DriveSafe is a simple and free way to remove the urge to check your messages while driving, particularly during longer trips away at Christmas. If people know you’re driving, they won’t expect an immediate reply.

“Our mobiles allow us to live more connected lives, but while the technology is empowering, we recognise the need to help mitigate some of the risks that come with irresponsible use.”

Matt adds: “It’s against the law to TXT while driving. Let people know you can’t reply without taking your hands off the wheel by using DriveSafe – that way you’ll stay on the right side of the law, and the left side of the road!”

How to use DriveSafe:
• Before you start driving, free TXT ‘Drive on’ to 760
• Incoming TXTs will receive this auto-reply: “I’m driving right now. I’ll read your TXT as soon as it is safe to do so. Vodafone DriveSafe.”
• When you arrive at your destination, free TXT ‘Drive off’ to 760 then check the TXT messages you received

*1st equal: Texting on a mobile phone & Reading a newspaper or magazine (Source: AA Insurance Driver Index survey 2014).

Vodafone is the only telecommunications company in New Zealand to offer DriveSafe, which won the Global Telecoms Business Innovation Award two years ago.
• DriveSafe is for all Vodafone customers – both On Account and Prepay
• DriveSafe sends auto-replies to TXTers no matter what network they are on, however only Vodafone customers can access the service
• There are no charges for using the DriveSafe freeTXT service. This includes turning DriveSafe on or off and sending the auto-replies. Auto-replies sent while the service is on will not be deducted from your TXT entitlements. If used overseas, standard overseas SMS charges will apply
• DriveSafe is for TXT messages only
• We recommend using a hands-free kit to answer calls received on your mobile while driving - DriveSafe works in conjunction with any hands-free kit
• If you forget to turn DriveSafe off, it will automatically switch off 24 hours after it was turned on
• When DriveSafe is on, people will only get the automated response once, regardless of the number of times they TXT you
• Auto-responses will not be sent to senders using iMessage
• The first time you use DriveSafe it may take a few minutes for the service to activate.

ENDS

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