Vodaphone deploys DriveSafe to end text and drive risks

Vodafone New Zealand has deployed all-phones solution DriveSafe from SMS services and infrastructure vendor Telsis, for drivers to reduce the temptation to text while driving.

The Telsis SMS technology DriveSafe is a network service, which is compatible with any type or age of phone, the company claims. It works alongside a messaging network. DriveSafe is enabled by texting a command such as ‘drive on’ and is turned off by sending ‘drive off’. This enables DriveSafe network to automatically respond to any text message with an operator-branded reply such as, ‘I’m driving at the moment. I’ll read your text as soon as it is safe to do so.’

“One of the worst things about texting and driving is that drivers know they shouldn’t do it, but in many cases just can’t seem to stop themselves when they hear a message arrive. DriveSafe is a tool that can help drivers to leave the phone alone,” says general manager at New Zealand Automobile Association Mike Noon. “The driver can relax knowing the person who texted them has been sent a reply, and it is spreading the message that texting and driving are a potentially lethal mix.”

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) chief executive Geoff Dangerfield adds: “The NZTA encourages all Vodafone customers to subscribe to DriveSafe and to use it - but we hope this sort of innovation does not stop with one company."

The launch has been endorsed by NZTA and went live in February 2012, and is available free of charge to Vodafone New Zealand customers.

More information:
http://www.telsis.com/