Software aims to stop calls while driving

CBS Interactive Staff | Oct 28, 2008

Dave Teater says his son, Joe, could really light up a room.

"He was always happy, always smiling--I never remember Joe being angry with anybody," Teater said. "He loved life."

Four years ago, 12-year-old Joe was killed by a woman distracted while on her cell phone. She ran a red light and plowed into the Teaters' car.

"You never get over it," he said.

His wife, Judy, survived.

Teater closed his automotive consulting business to take up a cause--warning others, CBS News science and technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg reports.

"I don't think people ought to use a cell phone when they're driving, period," he said.

Now, Teater wants drivers to go the extra mile--with some new technology for cell phones and texting devices.

"The software periodically checks using various sensors that are already in the phone, like GPS and Wi-Fi," he explains.

He's joined a company that created Drive Assist, software downloaded to a handheld device. If GPS detects driving motion, a signal is sent to the wireless provider, which disables outgoing calls, except to 911, and diverts incoming calls to a custom voice mail. This service is currently available only in the US.

"The person you have called appears to be driving," it says.

Maybe you think going handsfree is safe enough. Think again. New research shows whether or not drivers are actually holding the phone, they are just as distracted by the conversation itself--sometimes as impaired as if they were legally drunk.

"I just wish they knew what I knew," Teater said.

Drive Assist, available early next year, will cost between US$10 and US$20 a month. Nationwide Insurance has already announced people who use it will save money on their policies.

Teater is convinced it will save much more than that.

"Nothing will ever make up for the loss of Joe," he said. "But it'll add some meaning to it. And that is helpful."

Via CNET Blogs

Filed under: Gadgets
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