I'm not sure if it's apps alone. At least in The Netherlands I'm seeing multiple reasons for this (we are also seeing a spike in accidents):
* Cars are too easy to drive. Drivers have no clue about speed and danger. This is especially true for trucks. You can steer tons with your finger, but you have no idea about the real powers going on.
* Individualization: The 'fuck you' way of driving.
In the Netherlands, a possible cause also is cyclists using mobile phones in traffic. Bicycles apparently are too easy to drive with all that nice infrastructure.
* Cars are too easy to drive. Drivers have no clue about speed and danger. This is especially true for trucks. You can steer tons with your finger, but you have no idea about the real powers going on.
* Individualization: The 'fuck you' way of driving.
* Social media.