As mobile phone use remains a critically important contributor to vehicle accidents, innovative technologies are being developed to tackle distracted driving. These range from mobile applications to integrated hardware solutions, all designed to limit phone usage while driving.However, their effectiveness in preventing distractions varies considerably, especially in fleet vehicles.

While apps like AT&T‘s DriveMode and Apple‘s built-in Do Not Disturb While Driving offer some protection, they largely depend on the driver’s willingness to cooperate. These apps can often be bypassed, reducing their utility when liability and safety are critical concerns.

According to Ian Reagan, a senior research scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “We think technologies that reduce visual-manual interaction with phones are obviously a good thing. But most are opt-in. We’d like to see them as opt-out by default.”

A new generation of technology is now moving towards stricter enforcement, shifting from simple reminders to active intervention. This is particularly relevant for companies managing fleets of drivers, where the stakes and available solutions are becoming increasingly significant.

The Need for Enforceable Solutions

Or Gilboa, CEO of SaverOne, a startup based near Tel Aviv, emphasizes the importance of proactive solutions: “There’s a difference between tools that monitor and tools that prevent. That distinction matters when lives are on the line.” SaverOne is pioneering hardware-integrated systems that eliminate the need for driver cooperation.

“Mobile use while driving is an addiction. We needed a system that prevents distraction without waiting for the driver to choose safety. That’s what we built.” -Ori Gilboa, SaverOne

SaverOne’s technology employs a passive sensor network to scan the vehicle’s interior for mobile phones. It identifies the driver’s device and automatically activates “safe mode,” which blocks distracting apps while allowing essential functions such as navigation and approved voice calls. This system is designed to be foolproof, functioning even if the driver attempts to circumvent it by disabling Bluetooth or using a secondary phone.

Designed to Be Driver-proof

The system includes four small, concealed sensors and a central receiver, roughly the size of an iPhone, installed within the vehicle. It can precisely locate mobile devices within centimeters and differentiate between the driver’s and passengers’ phones. If the driver’s phone is active and not connected to the SaverOne app, an audible alert sounds until the issue is resolved.

“What sets us apart is our prevention-first approach,” says Gilboa. “Most systems focus on what went wrong after the fact. We stop the distraction before it happens.”

Gilboa also noted that the system is designed to respect driver usability, preserving essential tools like turn-by-turn navigation and voice calls to pre-approved contacts. “We want drivers to be reachable-but not distracted,” he added.

Global Expansion, Measurable impact

Since launching its second-generation product in 2022, SaverOne has experienced rapid growth. Following initial trials with Israeli fleet operators like Bynet Data Communications, israel Electric Corporation, and ice cream maker Froneri, the company has secured deals with a wider range of Israeli businesses. By mid-2023, cemex israel, the local branch of the global cement producer, had agreed to implement the driver distraction prevention system across its 380-vehicle fleet. in January 2024, after a successful trial involving 17 trucks, Strauss Group, a major Israeli food and beverage company, decided to install SaverOne on its fleet of 80 food delivery trucks. This agreement was particularly significant becuase Strauss had gathered data showing a statistically significant decrease in accident rates among vehicles equipped with the system. This data has supported SaverOne’s global expansion efforts. CEMEX has since equipped trucks in fleets throughout Europe. In the U.S., FedEx contractors in North Carolina and Philadelphia are now adopting Saver