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A new app which could stop drivers checking their phones at the wheel is to become available to the public.
The Distraction Prevention app by Romex will block out interruptions including phone calls, social media notifications and emails when drivers are travelling at a certain speed.
It follows on the heels of the employee-tracking firm’s business-to-business app, and is now being aimed at the public – specifically at drivers between 17 and 25 years old.
Steve Arscott, sales director at Romex promised it will be a “totally unique way of engaging young drivers” that will “make them want to keep themselves safe”.
He said if a person received a call when driving it would “be intercepted and sent to voicemail”, unless they are connected to a hands free bluetooth.
“It is a similar thing with texts or emails – it suspends the notifications – you won’t even know you’ve got texts or emails until you stop, and they come through.
“There is an emergency call button so if you call 999 that won’t be locked, and there is a passenger mode.”
If a young driver switches on passenger mode a guardian who has the companion app will get a notification, in order to avoid the function being abused.
There will be a small, one-off charge to purchase the app, which will be available to download from the firm’s website in June.
Arscott said Romex will be working with driving schools and insurance companies to help promote the app to young drivers, ahead of the launch.
The long-term hope is that it will help push insurance costs down for drivers with the app.
