Aside from legislation, technology is fast entering the game as a way to control texting. New cell phone applications are hitting the market that disable texting, and in some cases phone functions, after a car begins moving.
One such cell phone application, iZUP, will activate once a cell phone is traveling at more than 5 mph, and will forward all texts and voice messages for later retrieval while the car is in motion. Dialing also is disabled. The user, however, still can dial 911 while the car is in motion and can program up to three phone numbers, such as a spouse or parent, that can immediately get through the security measure.
Darcy Ahl, of Darien, Conn., said she co-founded Illume Software, which developed the application, after a frightening experience on the road with her 16-year-old son. She was in the passenger seat while he was driving, and his cell phone rang.
He reached into his pocket to fish it out, and the car swerved side to side, she said.
"I told my business partner I wasn't ready to be the mother of a teenage driver," Ahl said.
Illume will release the application in January for Windows Mobile, Blackberry and Android platforms.
By Scott Davis