The Texas Oil Boom May Be Contributing To A Distracted Driving Boom

In the Permian Basin, an average of 30 crashes are reported every day (C.R.I.S. Query). With the increase in commuting oil workers, West Texas roads have seen an increase in distracted driving crashes. The possible correlation between the two cannot be ignored. SAFE 2 SAVE hopes to turn the trend of crashes due to distracted driving through awareness and incentivized behavior change. Marci Corry, SAFE 2 SAVE’s founder + CEO, stated, “The issue is really two-fold. First, many employers in the oil industry have an unsafe expectation for their employees to be available at all times, including when behind the wheel. This demand then leads to their employees not only putting their own life at risk because of their distracted behavior, but also putting families and entire Permian Basin communities at risk.” 

So how do we change this? Marci’s answer is simple: inform people about the issue + motivate them to change their own habits. Then, encourage their friends and families to do the same. Corry is calling on businesses to hold a higher standard to take care of their employees by valuing safety over productivity when commuting. Simultaneously, she is challenging employees to change their personal habits when on the road by understanding the dangers and implementing safer behavior. But how might such a huge issue be tackled, practically? How can people be motivated to stop driving distracted? Corry’s solution – SAFE 2 SAVE. 

SAFE 2 SAVE rewards iPhone + Android users with points for every minute they drive without using their phone. Points can then be redeemed for free items + discounts at participating restaurants and businesses. A couple of minutes of driving safely equates to a free soft drink from Kent Kwik. This rewards-based system benefits not only SAFE 2 SAVE users, but local businesses, too. Behavior change impacts the entire community. Corry has a special place in her heart for the Permian Basin, “I grew up in West Texas. I care about our community because it raised me. I created SAFE 2 SAVE because I saw the need for a simple way to combat a complicated, nationwide issue. I deeply believe our community can rise up to the challenge and be a part in making distracted driving decrease.”