For several years now, US authorities are engaged in a bitter battle to try and persuade the American drivers that distracted driving is bad for their physical integrity. Yet, regardless of the huge amount of numbers, statistics and even faces the US throws at them, the drivers still don't seem to get the point.
This is why, in the near future, the need for the message to be properly sent to the deaf ears of the public will grow far beyond adopting a piece of legislation which bans texting or talking on the phone while driving. If the ignorance trend continues, it's likely the US authorities will turn, more and more, to the help of modern day technology as a weapon of deterrence.
There are currently several companies on the US market that are developing all sorts of systems meant to limit distracted driving, systems that range from Aegis' DriveAssist and end with Cellcontrol. We chose the latter for this guide because we find it to be much more intrusive than the DriveAssist and at the same time defining for all other similar systems.
WHAT IS IT?
The manufacturer of the system says that their product is compatible with 1,000 mobile devices that range from phones, multi-use handhelds, tablets and ending with laptops.
Another important hardware for Cellcontrol is the Bluetooth trigger, which is used to integrate the system easily with any of the aforementioned devices.
Because of a feature that the manufacturer calls Cellcontrol Protection Halo, all the mobile devices within a defined list will be subjected to the same rules as the primary device.
WHAT DOES IT DO
The Cellcontrol is designed as a tool for those who have a hard time not talking or texting while driving. It requires the Cellcontrol GPS to be installed on the mobile device (you can do that by following this link and the steps described there). After that, it's all about detailing and setting up the system (called defining policy).The Cellcontrol has been designed in such a way that it has a series of key features. They are listed below:
- handsfree – recognizes safe driving mode and allows calling when BluetoothTM headset is detected
- whitelist – allowed list of inbound/outbound phone numbers such as supervisor and parents
- phone apps – allows the use of location and mapping applications like Google Maps
- highway mode – defined cruising time and speed to temporarily stop Cellcontrol protection for a moving vehicle
- call forwarding – set forward phone numbers answer all calls
- time of day/day of week – protection schedule allows for custom enforcement during all hours
- safe override – security feature notifies administrators on requests to temporarily stop Cellcontrol protection
HOW DOES IT WORK
Interesting to say, the system allows the user to block whatever functions he or she wants. That means that you can block incoming/outgoing calls, but allow incoming/outgoing messages.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Cellcontrol is, at least at first glance, a very useful feature, as it will more definitely reduce the number of distracted driving cases. Its advantages, however, pale as soon as you learn how to trick it. Placing into the hands of the user the choice of what functions to block or allow is not much better than not having the system at all (Cellcontrol says the settings of the system will be controlled by parents or fleet administrators).Cellcontrol is, if you like, a booster tool for self-control. You can block all phone numbers in the phone book, and keep them blocked while you drive, or can unblock your closest friend's number, the friend with whom you speak for hours on the phone. In which case, Cellcontrol becomes useless...
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