Talking on the phone and sending text messages while driving are obvious distractions that can lead to fatal accidents on the road. Here’s how DriveAssist technology can help manage calls by automatically sensing when you’re in the car and diverting your calls and messages.

Mobile phone usage, while in the car, has been a hot-button issue in recent years, with some states banning the use of mobile phones without a hands-free system while driving. Just last month, a train crash in California that claimed the lives of 12 passengers was caused by the Conductor sending text messages while at the helm.

Now a Vancouver, Canada company has created a way to help drivers manage their mobile communications while behind the wheel. Aegis Mobile’s DriveAssist technology can sense when you’re moving at car speeds and can divert your calls during your trip.

DriveAssist has a personal assistant feature that informs your caller that you’re on the phone and offers to take a message. Callers can also indicate that their call is an emergency so that they can bypass the digital assistant. The system also queues your text messages until you’ve stopped moving and then delivers them once you have time to focus.

If you happen to be riding in a car or taking public transportation, it’s possible to over-ride the digital assistant to make and receive calls. You can also create a list of contacts that can pass you a message while on the road, in case they need you.

DriveAssist technology is also being touted as a way to prevent teens from driving while distracted. Ford recently announced software designed to help ensure that teens drive safely as well. Nationwide Insurance has already stepped up to provide discounts for drivers that sign up for the DriveAssist service.

This technology could prove to be a very useful way to help manage calls while in the car, but only if you use it. While the ability to turn it on and off could serve as a convenience, it may prove to be a dangerous temptation.

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Entry was posted on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 8:42 am under Cell phones.

Read more entries by Dave Jeyes.
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