Apple's new iOS update aims to make driving with your iPhone safer

Apple has used its iOS 11 update to attempt to make driving with your iPhone safer.

The technology firm has introduced a new feature called Do Not Disturb While Driving, which silences notifications and turns off the iPhone screen when it detects you are driving.

The aim, Apple says, is to increase driver focus when at the wheel, and sends anyone who texts the driver an automatic message in reply saying they are currently on the road and unavailable.

In urgent situations, recipients of that message will be able to reply with the word urgent in order to push a message through.

Apple says the feature will be able to detect when an iPhone user is moving in a car, though users can set favourite contacts that are still able to reach them even when the feature is enabled.

Also in the iOS 11 update was an extension to the power of mobile payment system Apple Pay, which will now allow users to send money directly to friends and families.

Users will be able to send and receive money through the messages app, or by using Siri and telling the assistant who to pay.

Money received is paid into a new Apple Pay Cash account, which can then be used to make purchases or transferred to a bank account.

iOS 11 will be available as a free update in the autumn.