Toyota Ireland’s innovative, lifesaving FaceItDown app has hit the milestone of 30 million kilometres driven without mobile phone interaction.
In the run up to Christmas, Toyota is renewing its appeal for Irish motorists to place their phones faced down while driving.
It is further incentivising safer driving by offering double points for all journeys logged on the app from December 4 to 21, and to attract the next wave of safety conscious drivers, FaceItDown partner QPark is offering €3 off parking at all Q-Park lots to the first 500 new people who download and use the app.
FaceItDown was developed by Toyota Ireland to help change Irish driver behaviour and address the endemic issue of people using mobile phones while driving. The app, which is endorsed by the Road Safety Authority, incentivises motorists to place their phone face down when driving in order to eradicate mobile phone distractions and ensure safer roads for all.
For every kilometre driven with the app engaged and phones faced down, users can earn points which are redeemable against free hot beverages in Circle K, cheaper FBD car insurance and subsidised parking at Q-Park lots.
The free app is available to all motorists, whether they drive a Toyota or not, from Apple Store or Google Play.
Recent nationwide research carried out by iReach on behalf of Toyota Ireland exposed the startling revelation that 59 per cent of Irish motorists have looked at their phones while driving within the last year, with 42 per cent admitting they have done so within the last two months.
The survey of 1,000 Irish drivers also revealed that more than half of all adults (52 percent ) check their phone in the car after hearing an alert, with 26 percent checking when stopped at traffic lights, 21 percent taking a quick glance while driving when they feel it is safe to do so, and five per cent checking immediately.
Toyota Ireland CEO Steve Tormey says the initiative is a prime example of its brand promise ‘Built for a Better World’ in action, “making a tangible difference to all Irish families”.
“Toyota Ireland is very proud and encouraged to reach 30 million kilometres today and remains focused on making driving on Irish roads safer. This focus is for all drivers.
“As Irish motorists make important trips in the lead up to Christmas, we are appealing to all drivers to make the app part of their daily driving routine.”
Toyota’s brand ambassador, Niall Breslin, says the FaceItDown app, which has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2017.
“The research statistics clearly show that people think it’s OK to use their phones when driving. We want to encourage every driver in Ireland to download the free app and use it on every journey they take as a simple, but fundamental action towards making our roads safer for all.”
You can download the Toyota FaceItDown app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store for free.
