HopSkipDrive uses telemetric data sent from your phone while driving with HopSkipDrive to track a collection of factors that are general indicators of safe driving. One of the safety factors we track is hard braking. This is because smooth braking is a good indication that the CareDriver is leaving appropriate following distance, driving predictably, and that the rider is experience a comfortable ride.
Hard braking can be described as braking suddenly enough to spill liquid out of a cup in a cupholder or make objects slide forward on seats. However, it can be hard to determine exactly what will be tracked as hard braking based on those descriptions. To make this safety metric more transparent, an audio alert will sound on your phone when hard braking is detected.
Below you'll find answers to additional questions about the hard braking alert:
Does hearing the hard braking alert mean my CareDriver Trends safety score will go down?
Not necessarily. We understand that sometimes drivers may need to brake quickly in response to road conditions or other drivers. Occasional hard braking will not bring down your CareDriver Trends score. However, a consistent pattern of hard braking during your regular driving may impact your score.
What does the alert sound like?
The alert sounds like a voice saying "hard braking detected."
What should I do when I hear the alert?
The hard braking alert is for your information. You do not need to take any action when you hear the alert. Use the alert as feedback on your driving. For example:
- A car backs out of a driveway unexpectedly right in front of you. You brake quickly to avoid a collision. You would hear the hard braking alert, but in this case you have made a safe driving choice. You do not need to be concerned about hearing the alert in this scenario.
- You come to a stop at a stop sign. If you hear the hard braking alert, you may be stopping too abruptly. Try slowing more as you come to a stop for a smoother ride.
Can I turn off hard braking alerts?
Yes. If you prefer not to hear the audio alert, you can turn it off in your notification settings. In Account, tap Settings. Under Notifications, toggle Hard Braking Alerts off. This will turn off the audio alerts. Hard braking alerts will still be tracked and incorporated into your CareDriver Trends safety score even if you turn off the audio alerts.