Drive Safely Corporation introduces system for enforcement of anti-texting legislation

Drive Safely Corporation (DSC) is unveiling its unique Anti-Messaging Technology (AMT), which will enable the US government to enforce proposed legislation that seeks to eradicate driving while texting.

The AMT system uses GPS data to ascertain whether the user’s mobile phone is in a moving vehicle. If AMT determines that the phone is in motion, a screen pops up whenever the user first attempts to read or send an SMS text, MMS or email. If the user accesses the phone’s messenger services – to receive or send a text, for example – a screen advises the user that ‘Texting While Driving is Illegal’. It then asks ‘Are you a driver?’ If the answer is, ‘yes’, the phone’s messenger capabilities are disabled until the phone has been at rest for a period of time. If the user answers, ‘no’, AMT will then allow the user to access the messenger services only if the user is able to input a series of letters, numbers and symbols within a restricted time frame: a process called the ‘Attention Validation Sequence’ (AVS).

Left: Studies by various universities, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the National Safety Council (NSC) confirm that texting and driving has reached fatally epidemic proportions

The Attention Validation Sequence screen displays randomly assigned letters, numbers and symbols. In order to avoid immediate disablement of the phone’s messenger functions, the user must input the data exactly as shown in a very short time period. Following the initial Attention Validation Sequence screen, AMT will periodically – and without warning – initiate additional Attention Validation Sequences to ensure that the user is not driving a motor vehicle. If the user fails to respond exactly – and in the required time period with respect to every validation screen – AMT will disable the phone’s messenger services until the phone has stopped moving for a period of time.

“AMT is unique insofar as the product allows each State to set the parameters for initiation and the AVS time frame,” explains Drive Safely Corp’s chief operating officer, Jerry Schaffer. “Our studies have shown that passengers are not inhibited in their ability to text while in a moving car since they can readily pass the AVS that most drivers fail. Finally, what truly distinguishes AMT from every other product is that AMT is designed to be broadcast to all mobile phones from each carrier as a component of their respective networks. Products other than AMT are designed to be downloaded on an individual’s phone, which allows the software to be enabled or disabled at will. With AMT the user cannot disable the product, which ensures uniform enforcement.

“It is critical to understand that DSC’s technology has no effect on the user’s ability to place and receive telephone calls or access 911 emergency messaging. Disabling the phone’s messenger services has no effect on the phone’s other features, although these controls can be added as required by law,” Schaffer adds.

18 November 2009