Nothing is more annoying than ending up on the road with a car trouble. More than a third of Dutch motorists are afraid of having a car breakdown. This is even half for drivers under the age of 30. This is evident from a representative survey carried out on behalf of the ANWB. The ANWB wants to allay these concerns with ANWB Smart Driver. This new addition to the Roadside Assistance package, which was recently launched, uses a connector in the car. Possible car problems are identified before they occur in practice. This can prevent unnecessary breakdown and unexpected repairs. 

Connector and app

smart driver consists of a connector, which is clicked into the car, and an app on the driver's smartphone. Technical data of the vehicle is shared with the experts of the ANWB Road Assistance via the connector. On the basis of this data, failures can be predicted at an early stage. The driver of the vehicle is then informed by Road Services and provided with expert advice. When a motorist does come to a standstill, Road Services immediately sees where the stranded vehicle is and what is wrong with it. This allows assistance to proceed faster. In the event of a collision, the driver is immediately contacted via Smart Driver and emergency services are called in if necessary.

Signaling battery problems

In addition to a flat tire and broken alternator, problems with the battery were experienced as the most annoying in the study. Smart Driver detects potential battery problems before they actually occur and informs the driver as soon as a warning light on the dashboard illuminates. An auto check is also part of ANWB Smart Driver. The vehicle is checked by Road Services on 15 points. On the basis of this, the driver is given a checklist for a subsequent garage visit. In addition, reminders for periodic maintenance are sent and a variety of tips are provided on checks that the driver can easily perform themselves, such as checking tire pressure or oil level. Smart Driver helps with this with clear instruction videos and tips.

Photo above and right: ANWB Image Bank.

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