For many years, drinking and driving has received the majority of attention when it comes to traffic accidents and fatalities, but another deadly combination that has become the norm for many can be just as fatal. Texting and driving has become a habit – and it’s not just teenagers! Many adults text while driving, answer emails and turn their vehicles into a mobile office… and most of us have surely driven by a swerving car only to see a parent texting—with a child in the back seat!!
A study by AAA and Seventeen Magazine found that 61% of teens admit to risky driving habits, and 46% of those kids say they text and drive. That’s an alarming number of kids who admit to texting behind the wheel! In another study released by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, researchers found that “texting took a driver’s focus away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds-enough time to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph.” In that length of time you could swerve off the road, hit another car-or cause serious injury to yourself or others.
SOLUTION
Currently, there are cell phone applications to help parents control the availability of text functions on their children’s phone. “Textecution”, this is an app currently available for an Android device, like the Google G1 or the Verizon Droid... However, development teams are currently working on other versions.
Textecution is designed for parents to put on their children’s phone to prevent them from texting while driving. It is also a great application for employers to put on their employee's phones to reduce vicarious liability involving automobile accidents. The Administrator does not need to own a G1 or Android enabled phone. The administrator only requires a phone that has texting capabilities and functionality…any brand will do.
Here is a simplified explanation of how the Textecution application works. Once installed, “Textecution” sits quietly in the background and allows you to use your phone as you normally would. Once Textecution recognizes that the phone is traveling faster than 10 mph, Textecution disables the phone's texting feature so text messages cannot be sent or received. Once the phone is at rest, or traveling at a speed slower than 10 mph, the texting feature seamlessly becomes available for use, and text messages may be sent or received.
What to do if your child is a passenger…there is an override function in the application. If you wish to override Textecution and text while the phone is in motion, choose “Request Permission”, and a text message will be sent to the Administrator who installed the Textecution on the mobile device. If the Administrator responds “Allow,” the texting function will work for the next four (4) hours even while in a moving vehicle. The Administrator (parent or employer) is in complete control, and responding “Allow” takes only a second or two. Of course the Administrator can decide not to disable Textecution by not replying or by responding to the text message with something other than “Allow.” If this application is “Uninstalled” the “Administrator” (parent/employer) will automatically be notified by text when the application is removed.
Textecution is NOT another version of “Big Brother”… Textecution only uses GPS to determine the rate of speed that the device is moving and does not report the location to the administrator. Textecution does however give parents peace of mind knowing their child is safer on the road, and gives employers comfort knowing they minimized their liability while employees are driving. Parents/Employers have control of the system from their own mobile device. (www.textection.com)
Kids, will learn from example, and if you don’t put down the cell phone while driving neither will they. And if you continue to respond to friends and business associates asking how long until you arrive at a meeting-they will continue to try and reach you when you are trying to safely arrive at your destination. Set a good example for those around you and pledge to no longer text and drive-when you have the urge to text, tweet, email or type in anyway while driving just ignore the urge or pull over. For your safety and the safety of everyone around you-texting and driving just isn’t worth the risk.
Bill Jackson Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC is committed to helping keep our community’s teens, families and employees safe. Please take a moment and share with your friends and loved ones the danger of using a cell phone while driving. You could save the life of someone you love!!
Bill Jackson Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC
152 Hwy 231 North
Troy AL 36081
Sales (334) 403-4704 Service (334) 403-4702
*The information being provided was obtained from a third party and is being provided as a community service. Bill Jackson Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC has not verified this information and makes no representations as to the accuracy of it's content
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