Road RankA driving score condenses a whole trip into one number. Here is what apps like Road Rank look at, and how to improve it.
What gets measured
Your phone has GPS and motion sensors. During a drive they show how your speed and direction change from moment to moment:
- Hard braking: slowing down sharply, usually because you were following too closely or looking ahead too late.
- Quick acceleration: pulling away fast from lights and junctions.
- Sharp turns: taking corners or roundabouts at speed.
- Speed: how smoothly it stays steady rather than swinging up and down.
How Road Rank scores a drive
Road Rank keeps it simple and transparent. Every drive starts at 100. Each hard-braking event costs 4 points and each quick acceleration costs 3. A drive needs at least 300 m to get a score. Sharp turns are counted and shown in your breakdown so you can see them too. Because the rules are fixed, you can always see what cost you points.
Why smooth wins
Most of the events above come from being surprised. Looking further ahead gives you time to ease off the accelerator early instead of braking late. That is why a smooth driver is usually a calm, predictable one.
What a score is not
A phone-based score is an estimate. It is not a safety rating, an insurance score, or a judgement of you as a driver. Road conditions, traffic and how the phone sits in the car all affect the readings.
Quick ways to raise it
- Leave more space to the car in front.
- Ease onto the accelerator instead of flooring it.
- Slow down before a corner, not during it.
- Anticipate lights and traffic and coast where you can.
- Mount the phone securely so it does not slide around.