Skip to main content

Enforceable distracted driving solution

Cellcontrol says it has adapted its technology to Class A (SAE J1939), an industry standard that will allow its Cellcontrol system to operate within a variety of fleet vehicles, including commercial vehicles, big rigs, school buses, heavy equipment and other Class A vehicles. Utilising the vehicle's onboard computer, Cellcontrol determines when the vehicle is moving at any speed and, based on a company's distracted driving policy, instantly blocks the use of a driver's cell phone, laptop computer or other m
February 6, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
2292 Cellcontrol says it has adapted its technology to Class A (SAE J1939), an industry standard that will allow its Cellcontrol system to operate within a variety of fleet vehicles, including commercial vehicles, big rigs, school buses, heavy equipment and other Class A vehicles. Utilising the vehicle's onboard computer, Cellcontrol determines when the vehicle is moving at any speed and, based on a company's distracted driving policy, instantly blocks the use of a driver's cell phone, laptop computer or other mobile device.

Mobile phone functions that Cellcontrol can prevent include phone, text, email, Web, push-to-talk and other distracting features. Calling 911 is always allowed as well as incoming texts, emails and calls, which are received but cannot be accessed or responded to while the vehicle is moving. In addition to those features, Cellcontrol will also report idle time, mileage and speed capturing for fleet managers who want to ensure their drivers are following correct company policies and procedures when it comes to the operation of their company vehicle.

Additionally, Cellcontrol enables users to white-list certain numbers to be allowed through the system. For example, a fleet manager can have only calls from his or her company go through to drivers' phones. Users also have the freedom to customise which mobile features they want to prevent. For example, a fleet manager in Austin, Texas, may choose to block only texts and emails (since that is currently Austin city law) but still allow phone calls. Additionally, the technology allows for one phone to be paired with many vehicles.

Related Content

  • January 30, 2012
    Cross border enforcement a logical step
    The logic supporting a cross-border enforcement Directive for the European Union (EU) is both detailed and compelling. The White Paper on European transport policy published in 2001 included the ambitious objective of reducing by 50 per cent by 2010 the number of people killed on the roads of the EU. But since 2005 the reduction in the number of road deaths has been slowing down: overall, the period from 2001 until 2009 saw the number of fatalities decrease by 36 per cent. According to Community indicators,
  • March 29, 2017
    When speed compliance becomes a safety issue
    David Crawford finds that softly, softly can be safely, safely when it comes to speed enforcement. Comedians and controversial TV presenters have long made jokes about having to watch the speedometer so closely as they pass speed camera after speed camera that they mow down bus queues. But the joke may have some factual basis according to a study by researchers from the University of Western Australia.
  • February 3, 2012
    The future of in-vehicle navigation systems
    TRL's Alan Stevens looks at the evolution and future prospects of in-vehicle navigation devices. Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) plays a crucial role in the safety of vehicles on our roads. Until we achieve full automation (and that's a debatable prospect anyway) a driver's interaction with the vehicle - all the controls, information and systems - holds a pivotal role in safe driving.
  • June 28, 2012
    Ford Research looking to help drivers manage stressful situations on the road
    Engineers in the Ford Research and Innovation labs are developing ways to help the driver stay focused in busy situations by intelligently managing incoming communications. Data from the sensing systems of driver-assist technologies can be used to determine the amount of external demand and workload upon a driver at any given time including traffic and road conditions. In addition, Ford continues its health and wellness research with the development of a biometric seat, seat belt and steering wheel that can