Valley PR Blog

Million Dollar Idea to Solve Texting While Driving

By Dan Wool on October 25th, 2007 In Hype!

There’s yet another article in the Republic this morning about the perils of texting while driving.

In spirit, I am vehemently opposed to texting while driving. I am also opposed to talking on the cell phone while driving. Neither are safe. I think we all realize that.

In practice, though… forgive me Dorky Verizon Guy for I have sinned. So, I guess what I’m saying is that while rare for me personally, I understand the impulses.

Driver education is one thing. But how about a new cell phone feature? Many cell phones are equipped with a mode for use on airliners – why not a function for cars?  Let’s call it “Drive Mode”. 

Drive Mode would be a function you select, not unlike “vibrate,” “loud” or “normal” mode, that would do the following:

(1) Automatically send calls to a secondary voice mail greeting. The message would explain you are trying to safely drive and that you will get back to the caller when you reach your destination.  For emergencies, the voice mail options could include ”Press ’2′ to place an emergency call to this person.”

(2) Send automatic text messages in response to incoming messages — again, explaining you are driving and will reply when you reach your destination. The function would also disable the phone’s keypad until returned to a regular mode.

(3) Automatically send an out-of-office email to incoming emails with the same message as above.

In politely freezing out incoming messages and limiting the ability to send outgoing messages/calls, one should be able to focus on driving.  The end users have to be responsible but the cell phone companies are no less culpable.  Bring a technology solution to a technology-induced problem.

Can you hear me now?

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