Technology Developed to Stop Drivers from Using Cell Phones Behind the Wheel

Not only that, low fines (let's face it, with regards to the hands-free law in California, $20 for the first offense and $50 for later ones is ridiculously low) mean that some drivers (and I see plenty of them doing so) flout the law. So what if you could detect that a car was in motion and prevent the use of a phone?

Aegis Mobility, a Canadian software company, announced on Monday that it has developed software called DriveAssist which will detect if a cell phone is moving at car speeds (so unless you're The Flash you don't have to worry about it when you are walking or running).

When someone tries to call or SMS a user with DriveAssist on their phone, they'll get a message that the person is driving and can't answer the phone or read a text message. The caller can then leave a message, send an audible alert or request a callback.

As required by law, the service always allows 911 calls. Passengers can override DriveAssist, as well (though how it differentiates a passenger from a driver is unclear).

Aegis is partnering with an insurance company, Nationwide Mutual Insurance. Yes, that one, the one that says its "on your side." Nationwide plans to offer a discount of from 3 - 10% on family policies for people who use DriveAssist.

Of course, in order for this to work, Aegis has to have carrier support. That hasn't happened yet, but according to their press release, the service will be offered next year though carriers. It's unclear how much the service would cost, but a 3 - 10% discount would probably offset the cost, estimated to be $10 to $20 a month.

Interestingly, Aegis Mobility spokesperson David Teater has a personal interest in making the technology work: in January of 2004 his 12-year-old son Joe was killed when a driver ran a red light while distracted by a cell phone. He said:

"Research has confirmed that the distraction associated with cell phone use is much more dangerous than originally suspected. This problem has grown out of the rapid adoption of mobile technology and our need to stay connected. Aegis Mobility has created the first effective technology solution for this issue."