• 06
  • April
    2011

In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died in motor vehicle accidents where driver distraction was a factor. Another 448,000 people were injured in those crashes. While these numbers are down from 2008 levels, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has referred to distracted driving as an epidemic. Other public figures, including Oprah Winfrey, have called out the dangers of driving and using cell phones - Oprah has even proposed a No Phone Zone Day to call for drivers to hang up and drive.

In fact, texting while behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous activities a driver can engage in because it involves the three main types of distractions as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation:

  • Cognitive: Taking the focus off of driving
  • Physical: Taking hands off the wheel
  • Visual: Taking the driver's eyes off the road

New Technology Combats Cell Phone Use While Driving

In an effort to combat distracted driving and reduce car accidents due to texting and cell phone use, T-Mobile has introduced a product to block cell phone calls and text messages while the car is in motion. According to an ABC report, T-Mobile's DriveSmart Plus senses how quickly the phone changes cell phone towers and will block phone calls and text messages until the vehicle stops moving. While this is not the first type of blocking service, it is the first one backed by an individual carrier.

The product can also be disabled if, for example, a passenger would like to use the phone. It can also be set to notify parents if the feature is turned off. One primary issue with other blocking applications was the effect on battery life. But Tasso Roumeliotis, CEO of Location Labs, which developed DriveSmart, states that the product uses a new patented technology that saves battery power better than competing models.

Although there are other forms of distracted driving, parents and T-Mobile are hoping this product will combat one activity responsible for numerous accidents and deaths: cell phone use while driving.