Phone App Can Help Stop Teens from Texting and Driving
Many studies have revealed that despite the warnings and education, millions of drivers are still guilty of texting and driving. In Texas, one out of every four car crashes is caused by a distracted driver. Teens, especially, still frequently send and receive text messages while driving. Texas is only one of seven states in the country that has not banned texting and driving, however, almost two dozen cities, including Austin and San Antonio, have passed local ordinances that ban the use of cell phones while driving. Parents of teen-age drivers who are concerned their teens may practice the dangerous habit of texting while driving can help alleviate those concerns with a mobile phone app called “SafeCell” which is available for both iPhone and Android smartphone users. When the app is downloaded to a phone, it uses GPS technology to determine if the phone is traveling more than five miles per hour. When the driver uses the phone to text, make phone calls, or logs onto other apps, such as social media accounts, SafeCell will send an alert to the parents that tells them when the phone was used, where the phone was used and how fast the vehicle was moving when the phone was used. The app also gives parents the option to disable all of the phone’s calling, texting,email, and social media capabilities if the car is in motion. The app also blocks incoming calls and text messages while the vehicle is in motion. Those incoming messages are re-routed to a directory that does not show up until the driver stops the car. The app does have an emergency call feature which would allow a caller to interrupt those lock-out features, so teens could call for help in an emergency. If you have been injured in a vehicle crash caused by the negligence of another driver, contact an experienced New Braunfels car accident attorney to find out what compensation you may be entitled to.
