Car key jams teenage driver’s cell phone and texting

Utah, Dec. 13: A new wireless invention has been developed by researchers of University of Utah which will prevent drivers, mainly teenage drivers, from talking and messaging on their cell phone.

A research carried out earlier has proved that one in ten drivers talks or sends texts while driving and these multitasking sometimes results in to serious accidents. The ‘key2safedrivng’ technology uses Bluetooth wireless capabilities which send signals from car key to driver’s cell phone which will reduce the risks of accidents.

A private company, named Accendo LC of Kaysville, Utah has got license from the University of Utah for the wireless technology and the device will come in to the market within six months and it will cost less than $50.

Ronn Hartman, managing partner of the Utah company, said: “If things go as planned, the Key2SafeDriving system won't be sold directly to consumers by a manufacturer, but instead the technology may be licensed to cell phone service providers to include in their service plans.”

The device could be tied in with insurance companies which will also provide discounts for users. To run the device, the driver must slide the key out of the device or push the button. Then the device puts driver’s cell phone in to ‘driving mode’ and displays’ STOP’ sign on the screen of the phone. The cell phone automatically answers to the incoming calls and messages as, ‘I am driving now. I will call you later when I arrive at the destination safely.'

When the engine will turn off, the driver again slides the key in to the device. So the cell phone returns to the normal communication mode. The teenage drivers can only make call to the 911 or numbers that are previously approved, while on a driving mode.

The ‘key2safedrivng’ system allows adult drivers to use hands free cell phone. But according to University of Utah psychologists, hands free cell phones are also disturbing as normal one.

Xuesong Zhou, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering says, "the goal for adults is to improve safety by encouraging them to reduce the time they spend talking while driving. The encouragement could come in the form of insurance discounts by insurers, who would receive monthly scores from Key2SafeDriving showing how well an adult driver avoided talking while driving.”