Device Stops Texting While Driving

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Texting and driving has proven to cause crashes and play a deadly role. But how do you make sure you stay off the phone and pay attention to the road? A new product claims to do just that.

A small and simple device by Scosche Industries and Cellcontrol is aimed at making the road much safer. Russ Evans is the co-host of the radio talk show Under The Hood and says all you have to do once you buy the product is register it online, download the app to your smart phone, and plug it into your car.

"The minute you put the car in gear and start rolling down the road, it immediately comes up blocked by Cellcontrol," Evans said.

It prevents phone calls, emails and texting. But you can still use a hands-free device, such as Bluetooth, to make calls as long as you don't have to use your phone's keypad. It will still let you dial 911 in case of emergencies. And if you think, well, I'll just unplug it and use my phone, think again.

"As soon as you pull it out, whoever registered the account, it sends an email to them that says the device has been removed," Evans said.

It's being sold at Audio Playground Electronics in Sioux Falls. Owner Daryl Meyer is surprised it's taken this long for a product like this to come out.

"This is the first of its kind that I've seen that totally eliminates any kind of texting, calls, anything like that while you're driving," Meyer said.

Meyer just put it on the shelves the end of last week and he says it's pretty obvious who interested in it and why.

"Keeping your kids safe, that's basically what it's for," Meyer said.

The Cellcontrol device is mainly for Android-based smart phones. It will not work on iPhones or vehicles older than 1996. The Under the Hood talk show is also giving one away. Just visit the Under The Hood Show's Facebook page.

For more about the product, visit the Cellcontrol website.