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Gamification gets drivers to put down their phones, study finds

Gamification plus cash prizes worked even better.

The study recruited 1,653 customers already enrolled in its Progressive Snapshot program, which involves the use of a smartphone app that detects phone use while driving. This arm also got regular tips on helpful habits, like mindfulness reminders, encouraging prompts, or using a phone's "do not disturb" mode while driving. It's even possible that insurance companies could start financially incentivizing drivers to behave better, assuming prizes cost less than the amount saved by paying for fewer crashes and claims.

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