New apps prevent driving while talking, texting on phone
You see them on the road all the time -- young drivers texting or talking while behind the wheel. But those days may be numbered.
"Companies are creating applications for cell phones that will actually stop people while they're driving from texting and talking on the phone," said technical and engineering director Stacy Genovese.
Some applications like iZUP and cellcontrol and ZoomSafer work on a similar premise: once your phone detects that the car you're driving is going above 5 miles per hour, it automatically puts all text messages, emails and calls on hold.
"Some of these applications work by putting a sensor inside the car that's then paired with your phone," Genovese said. "So when that phone is in the car and the sensor knows the car is moving, the phone is then blocked from texting and receiving phone calls."
Some programs send out an auto-reply, letting the sender know you're busy driving and will get back to them when you've arrived at your destination.
"Even if these applications are on your phone, you can always still call 911, and some of them have a list of authorized numbers that you can still access even if you're moving," said Genovese.
Some plans are available now, and others will be launched later this year.
New state law makes it a primary offense for anyone to text while driving or for kids to be on a cell phone when behind the wheel. but this new software will guarantee youngsters follow the rules.
"Companies are creating applications for cell phones that will actually stop people while they're driving from texting and talking on the phone," said technical and engineering director Stacy Genovese.
Some applications like iZUP and cellcontrol and ZoomSafer work on a similar premise: once your phone detects that the car you're driving is going above 5 miles per hour, it automatically puts all text messages, emails and calls on hold.
"Some of these applications work by putting a sensor inside the car that's then paired with your phone," Genovese said. "So when that phone is in the car and the sensor knows the car is moving, the phone is then blocked from texting and receiving phone calls."
Some programs send out an auto-reply, letting the sender know you're busy driving and will get back to them when you've arrived at your destination.
"Even if these applications are on your phone, you can always still call 911, and some of them have a list of authorized numbers that you can still access even if you're moving," said Genovese.
Some plans are available now, and others will be launched later this year.
New state law makes it a primary offense for anyone to text while driving or for kids to be on a cell phone when behind the wheel. but this new software will guarantee youngsters follow the rules.