New Technology Prevents Talking or Texting on a Phone While Driving

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that at any given moment 6 percent of all drivers are talking on a cell phone and 10 percent of teens are either talking or texting behind the wheel. And AAA claims that the talking on a phone is dangerous even if a driver is doing it hands-free.

A new device for teens as well as adults called Key2SafeDriving puts the lock on cell phone use while driving . It encases a copy of a car key, and when the key slides out a signal is sent to a cell phone via Bluetooth or RFID to put it in "driving" mode and a "Stop" sign appears on the phone's display.

The Key2SafeDriving can be configured so that teens are not allowed to talk or text or so that adults have to use a hands-free device. Incoming calls and texts receive an auto-reply and the technology's licensing partner, Accendo, says the phone can still be used for emergencies. When the key is removed from the ignition, the phone is again enabled.

Check out this YouTube video for a demonstration on how Key2SafeDriving works, as well as some bad acting but convincing male sibling banter.

The technology behind Key2SafeDriving was co-developed by a Kansas doctor and a professor at the University of Utah. Accendo hopes to market the device within six months.

Aegis Mobility also has plans to make software called DriveAssist available through wireless carriers that blocks incoming and outgoing calls, text messages and Internet access from a phone while the user is driving. The company has teamed with Nationwide Insurance to  offer policyholders a discount when they sign up to use the technology.

Categories: Car Tech