At the wheel? Ditch your phone, please

Dubai - 'Texting while driving is biggest epidemic we have in the world right now'

Many drivers will admit that they can't fight the urge to quickly check their mobile phones while driving, especially if a notification from a social media site pops up.
Those few moments spent shooting a quick text can result in dire consequences for both the driver and all those around him.
"Texting while driving is the biggest epidemic that we have in the world right now," says Steve Berman, CEO of bSafeMobile. "More people die from texting while driving, as compared to any other disease, and that is tragic because it can be prevented. We know that in one minute a person looks at their phone on average 14 times. The problem is that one second of stupidity can ruin your life forever."
Berman was at Dubai International Motor Show 2017 to showcase bSafeMobile by Cogosense - a software solution for smartphones and tablets that detects the driving state and automatically puts the device in safe mode while driving.
Berman was also quick to point out that the app allows the driver to use a GPS as long as the mobile is held in a steady position, such as on a mobile stand.
"But as soon as you pick up the phone to look at it, the app will shut it down," he said. "We have already launched this in markets across US, Europe and Asia."
Asked about how the app would be introduced in the UAE and the Middle East, Berman said that the company is already in talks with different entities such as Careem, Dubai Police, the Roads and Transport Authority and dealerships.
- rohma@khaleejtimes.com