AARP SafeTrip™ icon
AARP SafeTrip™: A Comprehensive Look at the Driving Companion App

by AARP

4.2
ANDROIDAuto & Vehicles
Designed to help older adults drive with greater confidence and security, the AARP SafeTrip™ app provides a suite of safety monitoring tools. This application focuses on automatic crash detection, trip logging for family members, and vehicle health monitoring. It serves as a digital co-pilot aimed at extending the period of safe, independent driving.

Detailed Review

AARP SafeTrip™ enters the automotive safety category with a clear focus on serving drivers aged 50 and above. Unlike generic navigation or vehicle diagnostics apps, it bundles several purpose-built features into a single package aimed at mitigating common concerns for older drivers and their families. The app positions itself not as a driving instructor, but as a supportive safety net that operates passively in the background during journeys. The app's core functionality revolves around three interconnected systems. First, its automatic crash detection uses the smartphone's sensors to identify a potential severe impact, subsequently initiating a check-in sequence and alerting emergency contacts if no response is given. Second, the Trip Sharing feature allows users to log trips, letting selected contacts view a real-time map of the drive and estimated arrival time. Third, a vehicle health monitor connects to an onboard diagnostic (OBD-II) dongle (sold separately), tracking check engine lights, battery voltage, and fuel economy, with maintenance reminders. In practical use, the interface prioritizes simplicity with large buttons and clear status indicators, making it accessible for users less comfortable with complex technology. Setting up a trip is a straightforward two-tap process. However, the reliance on a consistent data connection for real-time sharing can be a limitation in areas with poor cellular coverage. The integration with the OBD-II dongle provides valuable data, but requires an additional hardware purchase and installation, which some may find cumbersome. As a relatively new offering, broad user feedback is still developing, but early adopters highlight specific points. Reviews indicate appreciation for the peace of mind provided to both drivers and their adult children. Some users report that the crash detection system can be overly sensitive to hard braking or potholes, leading to false alarms that require manual cancellation. Others note the app is efficient on battery life during trips, though running it constantly in the background may have a minor impact over time. Overall, AARP SafeTrip™ delivers on its primary promise of adding a layer of security for its target demographic. Its strength lies in consolidating several useful monitoring tools into one dedicated app. The main trade-offs involve the potential for occasional false alerts from its automated systems and the necessity of extra hardware for full vehicle diagnostics functionality. For families seeking a dedicated solution to monitor driving safety, it presents a thoughtful, if specialized, option.

Key Features

  • Automatic Crash Detection: Uses smartphone sensors to identify potential collisions and alerts emergency contacts if the user is unresponsive.
  • Trip Sharing & ETA: Allows drivers to log trips and share real-time location and estimated arrival time with selected family members or friends.
  • Vehicle Health Monitoring: Connects to an OBD-II device to track diagnostic trouble codes, battery health, and provide maintenance reminders.
  • Driving Insights: Offers summaries of driving habits, including mileage and trip frequency, useful for personal tracking or discussions with family.
  • Emergency Contact Coordination: Centralizes emergency contact information and facilitates quick, coordinated alerts during detected incidents.
  • Simple Trip Logging: One-touch trip start and stop buttons designed for ease of use while minimizing distraction.

Why Users Love It

Consolidated safety features for drivers and families
Simple interface designed for older adults

Perfect for: Older drivers (50+) and their families seeking to enhance driving safety and maintain independence.

Screenshots

AARP SafeTrip™ screenshot 1AARP SafeTrip™ screenshot 2AARP SafeTrip™ screenshot 3AARP SafeTrip™ screenshot 4

Ranking History

Track AARP SafeTrip™'s performance in Auto & Vehicles over the last 30 days

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Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#47

Best Rank

#47

All-time high

Average Rank

#47

30-day average

User Reviews

Jo Flowers
Aug 3, 2023

A good check on my driving. Although it doesn't know why you did a specific questionable maneuver, it can show patterns, which I use to improve my driving or grin ear to ear because I am making consistently safer choices.

Jeffrey Davis
Sep 19, 2024

This app actually makes me aware of the speeding, distracted driving, hard breaking, and fast cornering habits in my driving that I was totally unaware of. Great way to better yourself or to keep track of loved ones safe driving habits.

Matthew Sampson
Dec 12, 2022

Very cool app. I knew that I sometimes drove a little too fast. The app showed me that it happened far more often than I thought it did. Good to get that sort of reminder. I feel safer because of it.

Charity Barton
Feb 15, 2023

I love AARP I AM SO GLAD I BOUGHT MY HUSBAND A AARP MEMBERSHIP CAUSE ALL THE AARP COMMERCIALS DAR YOU AND MONEY AT QUIET MORE THAN AFEE

Gary Murphy
Aug 21, 2023

I have been using the SafeTrip app for several months. The results of the evaluation has helped me to improve my driving. I am recommending the app to family and friends.

App Details

Developer

AARP

Platform

android

Rating

4.2

Last Updated

1/2/2026