Jim Hall, Former NTSB Chair, Touts Text Blocking Technology As Potential Solution to “Growing Epidemic”
TXTBlocker™, a mobile technology developer, today announced the creation of a new product for cell phones that allows owners to disable texting and other functions while a user is driving. TXTBlocker lets parents and employers customize cell phones to selectively disable texting functions, block certain numbers, or only permit incoming and outgoing calls to preset “safe lists” or emergency numbers. TXTBlocker uses proprietary velocity and geographic algorithms, so in addition to preventing dangerous use while driving, users may also set up ‘safe zones’ that do not allow distractions around focused areas such as schools or worksites. The product will be available for customers Fall of 2009. You can learn more about TXTBlocker at www.txtblocker.com.
“The distracted driving problem in America has grown into an epidemic,” said Jim Hall, who served as Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board from 1994 to 2001. “Every week, we hear of another tragedy caused by texting or other cell phone use on our roads. Innovative technology that eliminates a phone’s function while it is in motion may be one solution. It allows us to be proactive on this.”
A recent study by the The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that professional truck drivers were 23 times more likely to get into an accident if they were texting while driving. Recently, there have been a number of deadly accidents involving text messaging behind the wheel. Alarmingly, 46 percent of teens admitted that those who drive distracted are text-messaging, according to a AAA study which appeared in Seventeen magazine. TXTBlocker addresses the problem by simply removing texting from the equation, giving owners the power to limit when, where, and how mobile phones can be used.
TXTBlocker is completely customizable, allowing owners, parents or employers (or “administrators”) to turn certain functions on or off anytime. They simply log on to the website and choose custom settings to employ for specific phones. If turned on, TXTBlocker works automatically, so owners never have to remember to turn it on, and it allows for safety features so that phones can always make calls to 911 and receive calls from preset emergency numbers.
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