News + Events

The Galson Blog

Edward Stuber CIH

01/18/2012

Mobile App Prevents Sending Texts

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about texting while driving and how OSHA was trying to curb this increasing dangerous activity. I came across some information that I thought would make a great follow up post.

If you are one of the many people who have a problem resisting your smart phone’s lure to text, I have some good news. AT&T’s DriveMode App is for you. It is free for AT&T customers and here is how it works. The app automatically sends a customizable reply to incoming texts, notifying the sender that the user is driving and unable to respond. Sounds like an “Out of the Office” automatic email response – doesn’t it? Ms. Sandra Spavone of the National Organizations for Youth Safety was quoted as saying “Making the choice to use this product could be one of the most important decisions drivers make.”

The app is part of AT&T’s “It can wait” campaign that aims to stigmatize sending text messages while driving. You can learn more about this innovative app at www.att.com/drivemode.

Katie - You would control it from the settings function in your smartphone. You would make the choice to have it 'on' or 'off' similar to other applications that have the GPS feature enabled.

Posted by Joe on 01/27/2012 at 1:17pm

Joe- that sounds great but what if the texter isn't the driver. Would it prohibit them as well? If not, how would it know the difference?

Posted by Katie on 01/27/2012 at 1:11pm

This sounds like a great app. I wish more cell phone providers would offer free apps like this one.

Posted by Pat Spadafore on 01/27/2012 at 11:36am

I need to install this on all my boy's phones. I saw a teenage girl in a Jeep sitting in a ditch the other day. I am sure the distraction of her phone caused her predicament.

Posted by Patrick Farrell on 01/27/2012 at 11:14am

From some reading I've done there appears to be some insurance companies like Allstate looking to design a mobile app that will provide money back to clients for safer driving. The app would essnetially override the controls of your smartphone and not permit texts/calls when the vehicle travels over a certain speed limit.

Posted by Joe on 01/26/2012 at 9:59am

Thank you for posting this very important information. I have tried hard to model safe behavior for my teenagers who are learning to drive and this will be an invaluable tool!

Posted by Karen Reed on 01/26/2012 at 8:07am

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