By Kaylin Phillips, Product Manager at Netstar focusing on digital consumer safety

Safety technology has been proven to work and can be more than invaluable when correctly installed, implemented, and applied. In a recent horrifying incident, a dashcam did exactly what it was meant to do and captured footage of an e-hailing driver’s violent robbery in clear detail. 

The footage was so sharp that viewers could see the attackers’ faces, hear the panic, and follow the moment the situation escalated. The video went viral and because the suspects’ faces were visible the perpetrators were identified and arrested. 

A hit-and-run victim with an active dashcam gets the number plate of the vehicle that hit them, which made it possible to track down the other driver who is now a criminal for leaving the scene of an accident. 

Someone with location sharing enabled during an attack allows responders to arrive at the exact location, while telematics with impact detection alerts enabled for their vehicle alerts emergency services before a driver can make a call. 

These aren’t hypothetical. These are the outcomes we see repeatedly when everything is configured and running. Dashcams and apps don’t function when essential features are not turned on, which shows that the biggest gap is human behaviour, not hardware. 

When everything is set up properly, the impact is undeniable – especially in a country with 124 million mobile connections and high digital adoption. We see cases resolved faster because the right data was captured at the right moment. South Africa’s mobile penetration of more than 180% strengthens this opportunity, as more people already carry devices capable of supporting safety tools. 

When the solution ‘doesn’t work’

South Africa’s app-install growth of more than 17.85% shows people want digital safety tools. They just need to use them fully. Owning a device doesn’t automatically mean you are protected by the technology. It’s like having a seatbelt but never buckling it in. 

Often, the device has been installed but not completely configured, such as when the driver didn’t plug the dashcam into the power outlet or insert an SD card in the slot. 

With app-based technological systems, we’ve seen cases where permissions were never granted to, for example, share locations. Sometimes, users download apps and never open them again, or the app isn’t reactivated when people upgrade phones. 

There’s evidence for this. Globally, app engagement drops to between five percent and seven percent within a month of installation, a clear indication that most people stop using safety tools long before an incident happens. 

A dashcam is only as good as its angle, power source, and storage. Too many drivers only discover it’s misaligned after an incident. Call centre teams regularly handle cases where a victim had the right technology installed but key features like location sharing or notifications were disabled. It’s heartbreaking because the fix is usually one toggle. 

None of these are technical failures and they come down to behavioural gaps. Regular logins to an app and keeping data active prevent 90% of the failures we encounter, which is basic digital hygiene. 

That’s why it’s important to prioritise those that are mission critical. Those apps that are vital for your safety, and that of your loved ones. With a global average of nine apps downloaded per person per month, people are overwhelmed with apps competing for attention. 

What actually works

Four steps make all the difference: 

• Turn on location 

• Enable notifications 

• Keep your app updated 

• Regularly test key safety features 

These steps are consistently linked to faster incident resolution and more accurate emergency responses. 

For dashcams, confirm that the cameras are aimed at the correct angle, check that they have power, and verify that they are capturing images. For apps, log in monthly and check permissions such as whether your location is being sent. 

These are all quick fixes to a safer road journey, but they can’t only be done once and never checked again. For example, the rear camera on a dashcam is useless if it’s been bumped and now aiming at the sky – check everything each month. 

Your behaviour is what gives technology its value. Safety relies on dependable hardware, intelligent software, and consistent habits. It is not something you buy, but something you practise. Fully activated devices strengthen the transport ecosystem, enabling faster investigations and stronger community security.