Last updated April 12, 2019
If you read this blog regularly, you will see that I feel pretty strong about using a cell phone when you are driving; particularly when it comes to texting, which makes you take your eyes off the road in order to read and input a message. While I believe everyone should ignore their cells while driving – turn them off, put them in the trunk, whatever it takes – I am aware that some people are still going to keep interacting with their cell phones while they drive. Therefore, here is a solution I can recommend: voice relayed text and email messaging.
Drive.Safe.ly
The new application, called Drive.Safe.ly reads your emails and text messages aloud to you automatically; you don’t have to do anything but listen. The app can be used with iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry devices, and Android devices.
Cost for the paid version of the app varies: for one person, it is $13.95 annually or $3.99 per month. A family of four can get a group rate of $34.95 annually or $9.99 per month. For businesses, the cost is $79.90 annually or $7.99 per month.
DriveFirst
This application takes a different approach. It blocks incoming signals that alert you to new messages, then 1) sends voice calls directly to voice mail, and 2) sends an auto-response to text messages letting the sender know you are unavailable. The cost for this application when released will be around $2.00 per month.
Other applications allow users to block cell phone activity during certain times; when driving for instance or when children are in school. Costs vary.