LONE TREE, Colo. – Max Rubin just got his driver’s license a few weeks ago. He’s enjoying his new freedom and trying to limit his distractions, like his cell phone and text messages.

“It’s really tempting to see what (the message) about or who it’s from, but you can wait five [...]]]> Story by Kim Posey

LONE TREE, Colo. – Max Rubin just got his driver’s license a few weeks ago. He’s enjoying his new freedom and trying to limit his distractions, like his cell phone and text messages.

“It’s really tempting to see what (the message) about or who it’s from, but you can wait five minutes to pick it up or you can risk hurting somebody or yourself by looking at it,” Max said.

Under Colorado law, drivers under 18 are not allowed to talk on the phone, and texting is illegal for everyone.  But it happens, sometimes with deadly consequences.

But now there is a way to fight technology, with technology.  A wide variety of new smart phone apps are available which lock your phone while you are driving so you can’t text, call, email, surf the web or update your Facebook page.

Michelle Rubin, Max’s mom, is considering one of the apps for Max and agreed to test one for us.

“I think every parent needs to consider it for a young driver,” Michelle told us.

The family installed a Cellcontrol transmitter on their car, and installed the cell control app on Max’s phone.  When the car is in motion, the phone becomes disabled.

“It won’t let me do anything,” Max said.

Incoming texts don’t appear. Calls go straight to voicemail, and Max’s driving is uninterrupted.

Drivers are able to make emergency calls and they can customize the plan to allow for things like music.

“It’s definitely a good idea,” Max said.

There are several other apps that don’t require a transmitter on your car.  Instead, they rely on the GPS in your phone to calculate your speed while you are driving. At a certain speed, the phone shuts down.

People using the txtBlocker app will see a certain screen while driving. Callers receive a message that says “Hi- Thanks for the Call.  I’m driving or in an area where mobile use isn’t allowed.  Get back to you as soon as possible.”

Unfortunately, some users complain apps which rely on the phone’s GPS run down the battery on the phone.  Plus those apps can only tell when you are moving, not when you are driving, so they shut down the phone even when you are a passenger in a car, bus or light rail.

The Rubins are weighing their options.

“I think as a parent you’re obligated to at least consider doing something,” Michelle said.

Some of the available apps include txtBlocker, CellSafety, iZup, Zoomsafer, and Cell Control.  Most have monthly fees.  You can check to see which ones will work on your phone.

 To see the video/story go to: http://kdvr.com/2012/05/09/new-apps-helping-parents-combat-teen-texting-and-driving/

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/distracted-driving/overview.aspx

Here is a sample of the information you will find:

WHT YOU NEED TO KNOW

New texting and mobile phone restrictions for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers
The FMCSA and the [...]]]> The FMCSA has posted new resources for the ban on mobile devices.  To learn more visit:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/distracted-driving/overview.aspx

Here is a sample of the information you will find:

WHT YOU NEED TO KNOW

New texting and mobile phone restrictions for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers
The FMCSA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) have published rules specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers and drivers who transport placardable quantities of hazardous materials from texting or using hand-held mobile phones while operating their vehicles. The joint rules are the latest actions by the U.S. Department of Transportation to end distracted driving. Violations can result in fines and/or disqualifications and will impact a motor carrier’s and/or driver’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) results.

No texting while driving
CMV drivers are prohibited from texting while driving. So what qualifies as texting? Texting means manually entering alphanumeric text into, or reading text from, an electronic device. This includes, but is not limited to, short message service, e-mailing, instant messaging, a command or request to access a Web page, or pressing more than a single button to initiate or terminate a voice communication using a mobile phone. (Click here for final rule)

Do not type or read a text message while driving a CMV!

Use of mobile phones is restricted for CMV drivers
This ruling restricts a CMV driver from reaching for or holding a mobile phone to conduct a voice communication, as well as dialing by pressing more than a single button. CMV drivers who use a mobile phone while driving can only operate a hands-free phone located in close proximity. In short, the rule prohibits unsafely reaching for a device, holding a mobile phone, or pressing multiple buttons. (Click here for final rule)

How can drivers use a mobile phone and still obey the rules?
Locate the mobile phone so it is operable by the driver while restrained by properly adjusted safety belts.
Utilize an earpiece or the speaker phone function.
Use voice-activated or one-button touch features to initiate, answer, or terminate a call.

What happens if a driver is caught using a hand-held phone or texting while driving?
The rules impose sanctions for driver offenses, including civil penalties up to $2,750 and disqualification for multiple offenses. Motor carriers are also prohibited from requiring or allowing their drivers to text or use a hand-held mobile phone while driving and may be subject to civil penalties up to $11,000. Violations will impact SMS results. Texting and calling on a hand-held phone carry the worst possible violation severity weights against a driver’s results!

What are the risks?
Besides penalties and possible disqualification, recent research shows that the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) are 23.2 times greater for CMV drivers who text while driving than for those who do not. Texting drivers took their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, this equates to a driver traveling the approximate length of a football field — without looking at the roadway! For CMV drivers who dial a mobile phone while driving, the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event are six times greater than for those who do not. Why take chances?

BOTTOM LINE: Using a hand held device while driving is a serious traffic violation that could result in a disqualification.

No call, no text, no ticket!

CTIA Booth Location PDF Version

Take a few minutes to watch Dateline NBC’s powerful story – “My Kid Would Never Do That: Driving”!!!!

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/my-kid-would-never-driving-part-1/6peg8zf

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/my-kid-would-never-driving-part-2/6buc8t8

You know where this is going. That’s like driving blind for nearly 5 seconds [...]]]> Here’s a sobering statistic: At 55 miles per hour, a car travels the length of a football field in a little less than 5 seconds. That’s also the same time it takes to read a text message, according to government statistics.

You know where this is going. That’s like driving blind for nearly 5 seconds at high speed. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports cell phone use was a factor in 18 percent of distraction-related fatalities.

And yet, that’s what too many of us are doing when we get behind the wheel, despite laws banning drivers from texting.

The message isn’t getting through, perhaps because almost no one gets caught.

In Indiana, a police officer has to see you text and drive, which is almost impossible to determine. That driver holding a cell phone might be dialing it, checking a map or playing a song. But if you are caught, the fine can be $500.

So the law as it’s written now is nearly useless, and the number of people ignoring it, especially teens, is downright scary.

A survey conducted by State Farm Harris Interactive found only 43 percent of drivers ages 16-17 say they have never texted while driving.

Is it any wonder that whenever an accident occurs, investigators must determine whether a cell phone was in use? That’s not to pick on young drivers. Adults are guilty, too.

What can be done?

A public relations and education campaigns stressing the dangers of driving while distracted could help, especially if it’s modeled after the campaigns of the 1990s that called attention of driving while impaired. So-called “top of mind” campaigns make people aware of the issues and get them to talk about them. Such a campaign must stress that if you cause an accident, you can be held liable — and expect to be held accountable for your actions.

The current law is ineffective and practically unenforceable. Perhaps a better approach would be to punish drivers more severely for distracted driving, whether the cause is cellphone use or other actions taken by the driver. That will prove challenging.

Finally, technology that provided us with these distractions might also solve the problem. A company called Cellcontrol of Baton Rouge, La., is developing technology to have cellphones receive vehicle operating data via a non-paired Bluetooth signal. The device can automatically block texting, emailing and phone usage except in emergencies. The company also makes apps to allow parents to monitor phone use of teens when they drive.

In the meantime, until technology provides a solution, exercise some personal restraint and responsibility: Don’t text and drive.

See the Story Online at: http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20120420/OPINION01/204200316

4/12/2012

By now, you’re aware that it’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and that distracted driving is indeed a problem. But in addition to spreading the word about the dangers of irresponsibly using devices while behind the wheel, what can really be done to make a difference? Bans? Not [...]]]> Tech to Prevent Driver Distraction

4/12/2012

By now, you’re aware that it’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and that distracted driving is indeed a problem. But in addition to spreading the word about the dangers of irresponsibly using devices while behind the wheel, what can really be done to make a difference? Bans? Not likely. Higher fines and steeper penalties? Maybe. How about using technology?

It may seem contradictory to develop technologies that help keep us safe behind the wheel, when many believe technology being used in vehicles is to blame for the increase in distracted-driving-related incidents during the past few years. However, a number of technology-solution providers aim to offer the tools the public needs to act responsibly, while also acknowledging the permanence of devices and technology in today’s society.

In some cases, smartphone applications use a phone’s accelerometer to determine when a vehicle is in motion, then disable several functions of the driver’s device that can create distraction—such as text messaging. Other solutions, such as the technology by Cellcontrol, www.cellcontrol.com, actually rely on a hardware device plugged into a vehicle’s OBD port.

Cellcontrol recently released a solution that prevents texting, emailing, Web browsing, and phone usage in Class A vehicles such as heavy trucks, buses, and other large vehicles. The technology communicates with a vehicle’s onboard computer to determine when a vehicle is moving, then blocks the use of a mobile device based on a company’s distracted-driving policy. Emergency 911 calls are the exception. Interestingly, the company says its solution uses a patent-pending non-pairing Bluetooth signal to transmit vehicle operating data to the phone and immediately initiate blocking when driving. Cellcontrol’s technology can report on other safety metrics such as driver speed and hard-braking events, as well as efficiency metrics such as mileage and idle times for companies looking for a well-rounded approach to preventing distracted driving. Other solutions with specific target markets in mind include a number of smartphone apps geared toward parents. iGuardianTeen, www.iguardianteen.com, is one such solution for teen drivers.

iGuardianTeen provides parents with realtime driving feedback as their teens are out on the road. The company’s ultimate goal is to help parents keep a closer eye on their teen’s driving behavior while reducing the risk of an accident due to distraction or insufficient driving experience. The app automatically diverts incoming calls directly to voicemail while a vehicle is in motion. It mutes notifications such as rings, dings, and vibrations, so your teen is not even tempted to pick up the phone. (A Parental Emergency Contact feature is an exception.)

Parents receive reports on any calls or texts sent from behind the wheel, in addition to realtime alerts when a teen has gone above a set speed limit or is braking harshly, which can indicate the driver is distracted. The technology can help keep teens accountable, teaching them life-long habits for responsible driving.

During the month of April, The Peggy Smedley Show, www.peggysmedleyshow.com, an Internet talk radio show covering M2M technology and connected devices, will be covering distracted driving, not as an unsolvable problem, but as an issue that needs to be addressed through education and prevention.

On April 17, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will join the show to discuss the ways companies and individuals can work together to stand against distracted driving in all its forms. Tune in each Tuesday 12 p.m. CT during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month to learn more.

This story can be found online at: http://www.connectedworldmag.com/latestNews.aspx?id=NEWS120411081952340

A number of accidents have occurred while people have been Facebooking, Tweeting, and especially texting while driving, and many have had disastrous consequences.

But now, one company is making a real effort to make distracted driving a [...]]]> Over the last few months, distracted driving has become one of the hot button issues across the country.

A number of accidents have occurred while people have been Facebooking, Tweeting, and especially texting while driving, and many have had disastrous consequences.

But now, one company is making a real effort to make distracted driving a thing of the past.

Called Cellcontrol, the device costs $129.95 and includes one year of use (each month after that year is $7.95), but it provides peace of mind for family users with teenage drivers.

We spoke to Rob Guba, founder of Cellcontrol, who said that the inspiration for the product came from having teenage drivers in the family as well as a friend that was in an accident with a teen that was texting.

It’s a simple device and a good idea. A small trigger plugs in to the diagnostic port of the car and then communicates to the driver’s Bluetooth phone through an app that is running in the background.

An online portal lets parents set profiles for each device linked to the trigger. It can range from no restrictions to making the phone completely unusable while the car is in motion. And if the driver unplugs the device, a notification is set to the administrator.

Since many people don’t have self control (or common sense) behind the wheel when it comes to texting and driving, Cellcontrol plays that role for them.

Not a bad idea.

By Travis Okulski for Business Insider

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/this-device-might-make-distracted-driving-a-thing-of-the-past-2012-3#ixzz1rB2Z0UCa

Cellcontrol Extends Distracted Driving Technology Leadership and Supports NTSB and DOT Initiatives by Helping Companies Enforce FMCSA Final Ruling Prohibiting Interstate Truck and Bus Drivers from Using Hand-Held Cell Phones While Operating their Vehicles

BATON ROUGE, La., Mar 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Cellcontrol, the leading developer of distracted driving [...]]]> MarketWatch Link

Cellcontrol Extends Distracted Driving Technology Leadership and Supports NTSB and DOT Initiatives by Helping Companies Enforce FMCSA Final Ruling Prohibiting Interstate Truck and Bus Drivers from Using Hand-Held Cell Phones While Operating their Vehicles

BATON ROUGE, La., Mar 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Cellcontrol, the leading developer of distracted driving solutions, unveiled today the first truly effective solution to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rulings banning use of hand-held devices by operators of interstate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and hazardous material transportation vehicles. Cellcontrol, which has been broadly recognized as the leader in protecting fleets and families in passenger and light duty vehicles, has now released a solution that prevents texting while driving, emailing, browsing and phone usage in Class A vehicles such as heavy trucks, buses, and other large vehicles. This announcement coincides with the NTSB’s Attentive Driving Forum to be held tomorrow in Washington, DC; Cellcontrol has been selectively invited to participate in this event due to the Company’s consistent support of NTSB and DOT initiatives to stop texting while driving.

With today’s announcement, Cellcontrol’s technology now includes four proprietary components that differentiate it from all other solutions: 1) the only standalone device supporting J1939 and J1708 standards that works with the vast majority of Class A vehicles; 2) the only certified support for the Brew-based texting and flip phones highly prevalent in CMV fleets; 3) powerful policy management and reporting tools that provide flexibility to fleet and safety managers for creating groups for phone restriction policies; and 4) a patent-pending non-pairing Bluetooth communication signal that is the only reliable method to automatically transmit vehicle operating data to the phone and immediately initiate blocking when driving. With these features, Cellcontrol delivers the first and only distracted driving solution for full compliance with DOT guidelines, NTSB recommendations, and FMCSA regulations.

Cellcontrol utilizes a vehicle’s onboard computer to determine when a vehicle is moving and instantly blocks the use of a driver’s cell phone, laptop computer, or other mobile device based on a company’s distracted driving policy. Mobile phone functions that Cellcontrol prevents include phone, text, e-mail, Web, push-to-talk, games, and other distracting activities. Calling 911 is always allowed, and incoming texts, emails and calls are received but cannot be accessed or responded to while the vehicle is moving. In addition to preventing distracted driving, Cellcontrol also reports idle time, mileage, hard braking events, and speed for fleet managers who want to ensure their drivers are following correct company policies and safety procedures.

The FMCSA ruling allows for hands-free operation of a mobile phone, which Cellcontrol has supported since its inception. In a CMV, Cellcontrol provides protection against FMCSA violations and fines, which reach up to $13,750 per incident, and also dramatically reduces risk of accidents and the major costs associated with each crash of a CMV or hazardous material vehicle.

“Despite any claims to the contrary, other distracted driving solutions fall well short of full FMCSA compliance for many reasons, either because they simply audit behavior, which is after-the-fact, too late, and risky; they don’t offer hardware for Class A vehicles or feature phones; or they have critical Bluetooth pairing vulnerabilities,” said Chuck Cox, Senior Vice President at Cellcontrol. “And without the visibility and control provided by our management and reporting tools, fleet managers lose the access to information that is required actually enforce a solution. The final piece for broad FMCSA support is that only Cellcontrol works on the many flip phones popular in fleets, where the burden of smart-phone monthly expenses is not wanted.”

Federal Rule to Prevent Distracted Driving

On December 2, 2011, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a final rule specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles. The joint rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the latest action by the U.S. Department of Transportation to end distracted driving. This ruling went into effect on January 3, 2012, and is now being heavily enforced.

NTSB Attentive Driving Forum

The NTSB is hosting a public Attentive Driving Forum at the NTSB Conference Center in Washington DC on March 27, 2012. According to the NTSB, “distracted driving is a serious safety risk on our highways as evidenced by both accident data and laboratory research. The purpose of this one-day forum is to examine countermeasures that can mitigate distracted driving behaviors. Forum panels will consider the findings of distracted driver research and will promote ongoing and future efforts to promote attentive driving and eliminate distracted driving accidents. Specific countermeasures to be addressed include distracted driving laws and enforcement, changing attitudes and behaviors through education and outreach, and technology and design countermeasures.”

About Cellcontrol

Cellcontrol, based in Baton Rouge, La., is the most accurate, reliable and enforceable solution for to stop distracted driving caused by cellular phones and other mobile devices. For more information, go to www.cellcontrol.com

By Greg Crowe Mar 23, 2012

It is an accepted truth — but one too often ignored — that using a handheld cell phone for any reason is one of the most dangerous things you can do while operating a motor vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more [...]]]> GCN LAB REVIEWS

By Greg Crowe Mar 23, 2012

It is an accepted truth — but one too often ignored — that using a handheld cell phone for any reason is one of the most dangerous things you can do while operating a motor vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 5,000 people in the U.S. died due to distracted driving in 2009. Of those, 995 could be linked directly to cell phone use behind the wheel, and that does not count all the non-fatal accidents across the country.
Recently many efforts have been made to try to limit this practice. Handheld cell phone use while driving has been outlawed in many states. Many government organizations such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have levied steep fines for violation of cell phone use regulations. But these measures will only go so far toward stopping the activity. The temptation of having near-instant information at your fingertips is too great for some people, even while they are driving. So, how could you make sure your policies on the matter are enforced and employees aren’t costing money (or worse) by skirting them?

Cellcontrol, a flexible policy editor, can make vehicular cell phone policy automatically enforceable. It works for any Android or BlackBerry smart phone running Cellcontrol’s proprietary software.

Cellcontrol
Pros: Effective in locking out cell phone use.

Cons: Setup requires a few extra steps.

Performance: A-

Ease of Use: B

Features: A-

Value: A-

For the Complete Review: http://gcn.com/Articles/2012/04/02/Review-Cellcontrol-stops-texting-while-driving.aspx?Page=1