Texting and driving is extremely dangerous, and in some states the action is even illegal. The number of vehicle related accidents that can be directly tied to phone distraction is on the rise. However, a few up-and-coming phone applications have been developed in an effort to combat these accidents from occurring at such a high volume. A range of different options allows drivers and cellphone enthusiasts to select the app they feel best suits their needs while they are on the road. As Boston car accident lawyers we often see what can happen when a driver briefly takes his or her eyes off the road. Sometimes it can be a minor fender bender other times it can be catastrophic.
For those of you who struggle with completely disconnecting yourself from your phone while you travel, app developers are hoping they can lend you a hand (figuratively and literally) to assist in your debacle. Keeping both hands on the wheel and remaining alert and attentive are the most important things you can do while you are driving. The first of these options provided for hands-free driving is an app by the name of Auto SMS. This application is described as being an auto-response to both text messages and phone calls received while traveling in your vehicle. Auto SMS will automatically respond to all phone calls and text messages received when the application is set to a “text-to-speech” setting. In addition to responding to your messages, the application also has the ability to read the text messages aloud to you so that you are aware of who is contacting you and what the matter is regarding. Auto SMS has a variety of settings that you can adjust to best suit your needs, offering you the ability to auto respond to certain people at certain times and the manner in which you would like to respond to these individuals.
Another option that is being provided to drivers is Sonalight Text by Voice. This application does provide an auto-response setting but is primarily used in other regards to ensure hands-free phone usage. Upon launching the app, it will remain dormant until you make one of two things occurs: either an incoming message will be detected or you can audibly announce “text by voice”. In doing so, your messages will be read aloud to you and then you can dictate to the app what you would like to say in response to the message. If you decide you would like to ignore the message—that won’t be a problem either, as Sonalight Text by Voice will send the person a message you auto-configured when selecting the settings for the app. In addition to these helpful features, Sonalight also allows you the freedom to text whichever contact you would like simply by commanding so with your voice. You can also adjust your settings for the app to kick in once you’ve reached a certain mile-per-hour number.
If the options so far have yet to appeal to your needs, VeloCT could be the option you’re looking for. The app is billed as being relatively simple and offers you less options and settings than the previous applications. It will simply send out an auto-response to any incoming texts you receive once your vehicle has reached a certain designated speed. You have the ability to configure your own message as well as select the designated speed you would like to reach before the app takes over answering your texts. Your GPS setting must be activated though for VeloCT to work properly, as that will be the only way it can properly identify the correct speed you are traveling at.
For those of you who simply cannot wait to find out who messaged you and what they could be saying, ViBe might be the app that will benefit you the most. ViBe allows you to select specific contacts in your phone and from there you have the ability to set a particular vibration pattern to each individual or group you have selected. For instance, if your mother is texting you, you can set the alert to the “Heartbeat” vibration pattern. There are currently five patterns you can choose from at the moment with the option of paying an additional fee to access custom ViBes.
Regardless of which option you choose, whether from this list or from other suggestions found on the internet, the important thing to remember is that you should never actively use your phone while you are operating a vehicle. No matter how high the temptation may be. Putting down your phone could save a life—whether it is yours or someone else’s.