Texting while driving is incredibly dangerous – perhaps moreso than driving under the influence according to some studies – yet it is a widespread habit that is socially acceptable, especially among younger crowds. Some states are finally beginning to outlaw the act, but as with the recent legislation mandating Bluetooth headsets, this will be difficult to enforce.
The solution may wind up coming not from the lawmakers, but from the phones themselves. Technology firm eLYK Innovation has created a $10 application called Textecution for Google’s Android mobile platform that will sit in the background and use the phone’s GPS system to detect whenever the phone is moving faster than 10 MPH, at which time the app will deactivate the phone’s SMS capabilities. Once the phone comes to a standstill (say, at a stop light) the driver will be allowed to text again within a few seconds.
The application has been designed primarily for adults looking to keep their teens (who are apparently most prone to the behavior) in check. When parents install Textecution on their child’s Android phone, they are asked for an ‘admin phone number’, which will be contacted if the child ever needs to temporarily deactivate the app (like if they’re on a train or in the passenger seat). To grant the exception, the parent simply sends an SMS message saying “Allow”.
Unfortunately while Textecution has admirable goals (namely, keeping everyone safer), it has some serious flaws. For one, children can easily remove the application without needing any administrator approval (though the developers are considering implementing tighter restrictions). The exception system is also far from perfect – any teenager who frequently rides trains or as a passenger in a car will be constantly assailing their parents with exception requests and will probably be more likely to simply disable to application than constantly check in for approval.
There are a few other methods being employed to address this issue. Key2SafeDriving makes a key fob that disables phone activity, which is another big-brotherish approach that most teens will just find a way to circumvent. In the long run, the solution will likely be something that offers the convenience of SMS without the constant need to read from a tiny screen – one contender is Yap, which allows drivers to translate their voice into SMS text messages without taking their eyes off the road.
Doesn’t make sense. What about public transportation.
Yeah what if you are in someone else’s car??
I also rented a GPS device with a rental car a while back and I had to stop so that my girl friend could punch stuff in it. RETARDED!
Thanks… http://tinyurl.com/4rdhmc
yea what about that?
jess
http://www.yocial.com
Well it’s the idea that counts.
“When parents install Textecution on their child’s Android phone, they are asked for an ‘admin phone number’, which will be contacted if the child ever needs to temporarily deactivate the app (like if they’re on a train or in the passenger seat). To grant the exception, the parent simply sends an SMS message saying ‘Allow’.”
On the one hand brian rtfa, on the other its such an obvious and pervasive problem as to make this app completely worthless even with their fix system.
This problem needs a carrot, not a stick.
This reminds me with a problem that I that have never been solved /Information Overload/. Each time you bring a solution; it can be easily broken, because We Need To Take Actions. I really do not know if this product can be listed under Innovation. Good Luck Guys ..
The idea seems ridiculous knowing that I am going to lose battery life on my phone so it can prevent me from texting.
so i have pay $10 to kill my battery and prevent me from communicating??
no thx
Why I love jott…
- Scott from http://scottdig.com
Gets my vote as the dumbest app of 2008. Reasons listed above
This app also seems worthless given that SMS is a dying technology — most of the people communicate with are using Google Talk, Twitter, or other internet based applications already.
And twittering whilst driving is safe because….
Interesting idea, but sounds like poor design since agreed with other mentioned of this failing if you are a passenger or riding public transportation. The other note is that the article mentions parents using to prevent teens from texting. Most likely the teens will figure out a hack to circumvent or even remove the application.
@ Dan Graham
“most of the people communicate with are using Google Talk, Twitter, or other internet based applications already.”
Umm, not exactly, in fact, not at all. Much of the digerati may, but there’s a huge world out there that still uses SMS, and it generates billions for the carriers. Even with the other options, teenagers especially love the SMS.
Completely agree with the public tran thing
I’ll bet you can actually tell if someone is trying to tdriv eor not while texting based on how quickly they press the keys and how many mistakes they make, just like you can tell if a driver is drunk by how straight they drive.
Do it that way and you can use while taking the train
Noble cause but I’m not sure this is a workable solution to what is a big problem.
The most retarted idea for Android App i have heard. Wait, let me pay another $10 so I can’t speak on the phone while driving either! great!
Dumb idea, the entire perspective is plain wrong
I would buy this App for my kids and wife in a heartbeat without even thinking twice! Here in Phoenix AZ it is ticketable to text while driving.
If my kids took mass transit I probably wouldn’t be concerned and therefore wouldn’t buy it for them.
I also would not have a problem drinking a beer on the lightrail, but that’s illegal too.
Is TechCrunch a global website or a US website? I wish your editors would decide and give editorial guidelines to your authors.
If it’s a US website this is ok:
“Some states are finally beginning to outlaw the act…”
If it’s a global website do this (more research required):
“Some countries have legislated against texting while driving, such as Australia and France, …”
stop moaning. go somewhere else
This could only ever work with fingerprint technology, think about it.
Otherwise its the worse idea ever.
I’m with you Pinky
shit idea .. and really who would pay $10 for tht? maybe if it was built-in the device then kool and has settings
SMS is definitely not a dying communication channel outside Silicon Valley. I know very few people on Google Talk actually (but lots on Twitter).
To Pinky’s comment, I think Techcrunch is a Silicon Valley website. To billy’s comment, no you don’t. Just don’t buy it. For people with kids, sure…if there’s a way around it they’ll find it. If this can stop dangerous behavior for a while it’s worth it. Hell…I don’t want them killing me. too many close calls already.
Seems like a good idea but some scenarios don’t seem to work.
Technology can’t solve all problems.
Says you…From 3-8 you can raise your kids on a WII and virtual worlds. From 8-18…grand theft auto will do the job and prep them to join the army…
I like the concept, but I think by the time the kinks on something like this would be worked out, something like YAP will be ready to roll…
How can this possibly work? I realize that there is a clear and distinct problem with people texting while driving…and especially when it is illegal in that state. So eLYK Innovation, you have correctly identified a problem, and not correctly identified a solution. Well done, I am sure your company will make billions.
Problems:
Riding in a car rather than driving
Public Transportation
Emergencies
For those of you who think that SMS is a dying technology…think again. SMS is widely used to communicate…not everyone “tweets” to say hi.
Thank you for the input.
We have addressed the passenger or public transportation issue. The child/teenager can request ( with 1 click ) that the feature be disabled. That request goes directly to the parent who responds with the word ALLOW. The app goes offline for 4 hours.
911 is available at all times.
Please note we assume that SOME parenting is involved in the texting and driving discussion.
If the child diables it, that is a parenting issue, not a technology issue.
1. mate, for emergencies wouldn’t u be calling rather than texting.
2. for example in australia: u cannot use a mobile phone at any time during driving, even idling at traffic lights. if ur engine is on, u get fined. why: people die because some idiot texts while driving, takes his eye off the rd and runs over pedestrians. so this company has a good idea.
one of my friends got fined when he read a text he had just received – so he touched the phone, and the cops pulled him over.
3. for example: in other countries using mobile phones is strictly prohibited in public transport.
i think the idea is great, but needs some things worked around it, and needs to be country specific unfortunately as each country has their own laws.
No SMS while driving. Period. Make it the law. It kills people.
We need an attitude adjustment (clear thinking and an understanding of consequences, etc), a carrot, and a bigger stick (moral incentive isn’t working so we need to up the financial and social incentives).
I laugh… 5 years ago, when you met your friends on the beach, you met at a pre-arranged location on the beach. It was easy, you arrived, walked to the general area, looked around, found them and sat down. Now, go to the beach, watch people arrive: they walk up to the beach, make a call on their mobile, and someone on the beach stands up and waves. Besides providing the networks with completely unnecessary revenue, we’re making ourselves stupid – are we incapable of making a decision, or finding something without constantly checking in with someone?
…or, you could speak your message instead using the beta version of the Voicebeep iPhone app. Recipients can listen to your message at voicebeep.com and reply immediately to you with a voice message.
Sounds a bit like Pinger Voice Messaging… which works with any phone and doesn’t require an application. Just call 858-2PINGER, say the mobile # of the person you want to send a message to, record and hang up. Recipients get an SMS with a local phone # to call to retrieve their messages, and members can select email notification and listen to their messages on the web.
It’s a good idea. I almost spilt my coffee while having a smoke and texting the other morning.
Who the hell thinks txting at a stop light is ok!!
Everyone being absorbed in the 30 seconds of txting time is going to cause more accidents not less!
Or you could just teach your teen not to text while driving.