Tomorrow's news: Txt Blocker

By Valerie Skubal

Thursday, October 29, 2009

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Photo illustration by Valerie Skubal

Time to text? Txt Blocker is a monthly subscription service that prevents a phone from sending and receiving messages at designated times such as when you’re driving or when you’re in class.

Can’t seem to kick your inappropriate and sometimes dangerous cell phone use? Try Txt Blocker.

 When you get a text in the car, class or at work, do you answer it? Does your parent, teacher or boss get angry when you do? Txt Blocker allows you, your parents and your employers to control the places you can use your cell phone.

 For $9.99 per month, it can be set up so you are unable to use your phone while driving, in class or any other designated area. Parents can prevent their kids from texting while driving. Employers can program company phones to prevent use at work or while driving. Using GPS tracking, Txt Blocker knows where you are and limits your cell phone activity while saving all of your messages for when you get out of the designated area.

 The program works on all BlackBerries and Windows mobile phones, but not all phones. Other cell phones will be added based on consumer demand.

Developed by United Efficiency Inc., in central Florida, Txt Blocker is the company’s solution to dangerous cell phone use. According to Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, 37 percent of drivers admit to texting while driving, which is also the leading cause of distraction and accidents on the roads.

 Though she says she texts while driving, Lauren Timmons, San Antonio, Texas senior, says she’ll pull over to finish a text message but she doesn’t want anyone controlling her cell phone use.

 “I would be very angry if something stopped me from texting,” she says.

 But like it or not, Txt Blocker could be the solution to keep you safer on the roads.

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