The technical solution to texting while driving

There’s nothing revolutionary about a device like this, but it could have a big effect.

I s a teenager’s life worth $99.95?

Is avoiding a lawsuit arising from unsafe driving practices by fleet drivers worth that investment?

Rodney, Robbie and Rocky Campbell hope so. The three brothers from Longview, along with Rodney’s wife, Tina Campbell, think they have found an ideal product — something that can save lives, reduce traffic wrecks, cut back on lawsuits arising from those wrecks and also allow them to make a profit.

The family’s company, Safe Driving Technologies, is marketing in five states a device that can disable cell phones from calls and texting while a vehicle is in use, according to Rocky Campbell. The device can be simply installed and has no monthly fees or additional costs, he said.

“It’s a simple plug in device that works in any car made after 1996,” Rocky Campbell said.

There are plenty of gadgets for exerting control over how your teenager drives. Some are fairly high tech, others not so much. Frankly, I don’t think the availability of such geegaws is going to change the dynamic of more cities, and I believe eventually the state, seeking to ban texting while driving, but at least you can claim there exists a non-governmental solution for the problem. Link via Grits.

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2 Responses to The technical solution to texting while driving

  1. Erik Wood says:

    Let’s make this even easier to answer. Is a teenagers life worth four bucks? One time – no recurring fees?

    I just read that 72% of teens text every single day. Teens now text more than call and 81% of college age drivers text and drive. We have heard of college freshman not having email accounts – seriously NO email address – they just use Facebook & texting. Check out our teen text & drive awareness Break the Habit campaign at http://BTHnow.org as there are more facts in the articles there just like these.

    My three year old daughter was nearly run down right in front of me last fall by a texting driver. It changed me but I don’t hate texting. The way I see it, that would be like hating nightfall – its coming no matter what. The texting drivers I spoke with, including the teens, all said that laws and software devices that lock down their phones would not deter them at all. So I built a tool to help people manage their texting on their terms. Take a look and please tell me what you think. We are not going to stop until change hits our roads and not just our laws.

    Best,
    Erik Wood, owner
    OTTER LLC
    http://www.OTTERapp.com
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_yS0V21CFg

  2. br allen says:

    Brilliant solution, cellphone use is involved in about 28% of all accidents, a cellphone ban while driving is a great thing for the city to do, and this is a great extra step for parents to take.

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