No matter how many times you tell people not to, they just keep texting while driving. Every single day, I see people tapping away at various devices while they’re at a red light, only to continue this activity once their vehicle is in motion. All of this gadget-related silliness makes me a nervous wreck on the road, as I feel I have to constantly keep my eyes peeled for drivers who simply aren’t paying any attention to the world around them.

The latest app to attempt to correct this ongoing problem is Drive Safe Mode, a program that goes to great lengths to prevent drivers from using their smart phones to text, email, or do anything dangerous while behind the wheel of a moving automobile. The application uses GPS technology to determine your car’s rate of travel. Once you reach a certain speed, your phone immediately shuts down. In fact, the only thing it will allow you to do while driving is make emergency phone calls. Sounds like a very good idea to me.

Texting while driving statistics are downright frightening. According to a HealthDay poll from last year, nearly 37% of the 2,800 adults surveyed admitted to sending and/or receiving text messages during their vehicular adventures. Even more frightening is the fact that 86% claimed to be either eating or drinking something while behind the wheel of their car. All of this crazy information makes me want to utilize public transportation in the worst way.

Several states have passed anti-texting laws, which is supposed to frighten careless drivers into shaping up and flying straight. The activity has become so prevalent that it actually has its own Wikipedia page.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, so if you know someone who is beyond guilty of the sending people messages when they should be piloting their vehicle with both eyes on the road, perhaps it’s time you addressed the issue. If all else fails, consider Drive Safe Mode. It could mean the difference between life and death.

Image courtesy of @clapperdub