HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The state is launching the Safe Roads Challenge app to reward drivers for making safe choices behind the wheel.
This comes after 129 lives were lost on Hawaii’s roadways in 2025, making it the highest number in nearly two decades, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
“Preliminary data shows that 90% of these fatalities involve behavior, so we’re already trying to affect driver behavior,” Shelly Kunishige from the Hawaii Department of Transportation said.
The Hawaii DOT says the free app uses GPS to record drivers’ trips and then assigns them a score based on performance.
“Everyone thinks they’re a good driver. The Safe Roads Challenge app will tell you, based on data, whether or not you have room to improve,” Kunishige said. “It’s looking at acceleration, braking, cornering, swerving, whether or not you’re using your phone while you’re driving, and if you’re adhering to the speed limit.”
Hawaii drivers who download the free app and earn scores of at least 80 points will have the chance to win $25 gift cards every month. They’ll also be entered into the grand prize drawing at the end of the year.
“We’re hoping that part of it would be would be a financial incentive and part of it would also be people wanting to do something about the traffic deaths and helping to reduce them.”
The DOT encourages users to download the app and compete with friends and family by adding them under the “Friends” tile.
“Our staff, we’ve all signed up and have been comparing scores, so that’s one element that at least it starts a discussion, a discourse, about safe driving that I really hope a lot of people take advantage of,” Kunishige said.
The app says it does not send or sell users’ personal information, location data, or individual performance data to anyone, including insurance companies. The first challenge begins on Jan. 1.
Download the Safe Roads Challenge app here or Android and iOS app stores
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