Credit: 

Lucas Gouveia / Android Police

I'm surprised it's taken this long, but Google is finally bringing a live speedometer to Google Maps on Android Auto. It's a feature I've wanted for years because it's more than just a nice-to-have.

Sure, I can sneak a peek at the speedometer in my car's instrument cluster, but having that information next to the speed limit in Google Maps is easier and better.

As useful as this feature is and as delighted as I am with it making its way over, this isn't the only Android Auto safety feature I rely on.

The biggest improvement to my daily drive comes from features that reduce distractions. I'm easily distracted, and here are the ones I rely on to keep me focused on the road.

Voice Commands are the feature I use the most on every drive Navigation, music, and messages can be controlled hands-free

If there's one Android Auto feature I rely on most, it's voice commands. Before I leave my driveway, my first step is to ask Android Auto to navigate to my destination.

While you might not call it a safety feature, I feel anything that keeps my hands on the wheel qualifies. When I'm on the road and I want to play a specific album, guess what I rely on? Yes, it is voice commands.

That same extends to communication. I receive quite a few messages while I'm driving. I don't need to look at the screen to interact with these messages. Android Auto reads them out loud and lets me respond with my voice. I can dictate a quick reply and move on.

The same applies to entertainment. From playlists to podcasts, be it on Spotify or Pocket Casts, I can ask Google to control everything with my voice. It's the part about Android Auto that I appreciate the most.

The goal isn't just to replace my phone with a bigger screen, but to make it easier and safer to get to my essentials.

Navigation and thoughtful design keep me glued to Android Auto

Navigation is the reason why most people install Android Auto. Having access to Google Maps on a big screen is miles ahead of sticking your phone on a dashboard mount.

As someone who works remotely, most of my driving tends to be to new destinations instead of office commutes.

I take a road trip every few months, and I've come to rely on good lane guidance from Android Auto to make sure I can navigate India's complicated streets.

For example, instead of realizing that I've missed an exit at the last second, Android Auto gives me enough warning to get into the correct lane.

Similarly, it will give me a heads-up about upcoming flyovers and tell me which lane I should take well ahead of time.

Android Auto's new speedometer function fits naturally into that experience because it sits next to another feature that I've come to rely on, which is the speed limit indicator.

All too often, the declared speed limits are never placed in a place that makes them easy to see. I've accidentally sped up a bit too much in a school zone, and I don't want to do that anymore.

Android Auto shows me the speed limit on the big screen.

Google added support for the speedometer function next to the speed limit. This means that instead of juggling between my car's speedometer and the speed limit on my car's infotainment system, I get both pieces of information in the same spot. That's excellent news.

Beyond that, there are a few table stakes that I still feel are worth mentioning.

For starters, the interface's large buttons are easy to tap during quick stops, and media controls stay consistent and help me navigate the interface without spending too much time on the screen.

Unlike my Android phone, which I have cluttered up, Android Auto makes sure there is no visual clutter competing for your attention.

This extends to notification handling. The overlay card doesn't overstay its welcome and vanishes out of view in a few seconds. It just takes a tap to bring it back, but ensuring that it doesn't clutter up the screen is essential for safety.

None of these features are headline-worthy on their own, but put together, they create a safe environment for me to get all the technological essentials I need from my phone without compromising on my safety and, for that matter, the safety of others as well when I am driving.

The best Android Auto safety features are already here

In typical Google fashion, I've had intermittent access to the speedometer function in Android Auto. Some days it's there, and some days it's not, but after it rolls out fully, I expect to use it practically every day.

It's a feature Android Auto should have had years ago, and I'm glad Google is finally bringing it to the experience.

The features I value most are already available. Between voice commands, better navigation, and distraction-free notifications, these features solve problems on every drive and help you keep your attention on the road.

Any piece of technology that keeps you safe and less distracted gets my upvote.​​